Tom Cooper on GPO/WEP; letter from Cong. Ralph Regula

From Tom Cooper, January 17, 2007
Subject: Fwd: Thank you for writing

IF ANY OF YOU HAVE PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY, YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR THIS BILL. ELIMINATION OF THE GPO/WEP IS THE PRIMARY REASON TEACHERS WHO HAD JOBS BEFORE TEACHING, OR DURING THE SUMMER, AND PAID INTO SOCIAL SECURITY, CANNOT GET ANYTHING FROM SOCIAL SECURITY WHEN THEY RETIRE,

PLEASE PREPARE TO WRITE YOU SENATOR AND CONGRESSMAN WHEN THIS BILL IS ON THE FLOOR.

THANKS. TC
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January 17, 2007
Mr. Tom Cooper
(Address)
Medina, OH 44256-5915
Dear Mr. Cooper:

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the Social Security's Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. I fully understand your views on these important issues.

The Windfall Elimination Provision affects how the amount of your retirement or disability benefits is calculated if you receive a pension from work where Social Security taxes were not taken out of your pay. A modified formula is used to calculate your benefit amount, which could result in a lower Social Security benefit. The Government Pension Offset is triggered if you receive a pension from a federal, state or local government based on work where you did not pay Social Security taxes, your Social Security spouse's, and widow's and widower's, and mother's and father's insurance benefits may be reduced. I am co-sponsoring H.R. 147, better known as the Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals both pension offset provisions.

In addition, I am co-sponsoring H.R. 994 which will allow for federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits program (FEHBP) and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis. This legislation will also permit the Internal Revenue Code to include tax deductions for TRICARE supplemental premiums or enrollment fees.

I appreciate your concerns involving our nation's Social Security program. Please know that I will keep your views in mind as time progresses

Sincerely,
Ralph Regula, M.C.
RR/va