Senator Sherrod Brown to Mark Fredrick: Will support HR 235 (WEP)

Senator Sherrod Brown to Mark Fredrick, February 27, 2009
Subject: Reply from Senator Sherrod Brown
Dear Mr. Fredrick:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Social Security benefits for public employees.
Employees retiring from agencies that do not withhold Social Security taxes from salaries may find their Social Security benefits reduced based on the pension they receive. This provision, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), was first enacted in 1983 as part of a large reform package designed to prevent the insolvency of the Social Security system.
I share your concern for the unfair burden WEP places on individuals who have earned their Social Security benefits and receive a federal pension. Employees who work hard and follow the rules should not be penalized with lower Social Security benefits because of pension income they have also earned. I cosponsored the Social Security Fairness Act in the 110th Congress, which would repeal this provision.
The Social Security Fairness Act was reintroduced in the House by Rep. Howard Berman on January 7, 2009. Should the bill, H.R. 235, come before the Senate, I will certainly support it.
Thank you again for writing me.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown