This was sent to me a retired member from Arizona. I realize it contains items from another agency but the meat of the piece is about a Social Security issue that most of us have run onto in our retirement. Many of you were probably as unhappy as I was when it came up.
This was sent to the retirees of my former department. csppa means Colorado Springs Police Protective Association.
Dear Members-
We have a couple of items to bring to your attention… first, on behalf of Sgt. Olav Chaney, CSPD’s Honor Guard is actively looking for officers who are interested in joining the Honor Guard, and no prior drill experience is necessary. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Sgt. Chaney at Olav.chaney@coloradosprings.gov.
Additionally, in a win for public employees, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 82, which impacts workers who have earned both Social Security and Pension benefits. Titled the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82 eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). While Social Security pays benefits to the spouses of retired and disabled workers and to widow(er)s of deceased workers, the GPO requires a reduction in Social Security spousal and widow(er) benefits if the public employee also earned a pension from non-covered employment. Statistics indicate that as of December 2022, more than half a million Social Security beneficiaries saw GPO take away all their spousal or widow(er)’s benefits.
The WEP offset reduces Social Security benefits of public employees who have job earnings in both non-covered employment and covered employment, and qualify for Social Security benefits by working at least 40 quarters (or 10 years). WEP impacts those who split their careers and receive both a pension from non-covered work and Social Security benefits based on fewer than 30 years in covered employment.
The National Association of Police Organizations, of which the PPA is a member, is calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to take H.R.82 up for a vote immediately. If you would also like to assist, you can contact Senators Hickenlooper and Bennett to voice your support for the expedited passage of H.R. 82, using the points articulated in the paragraphs above. Their contact information is as follows:
Senator Hickenlooper: https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/email-john/
Senator Bennett: https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/write-to-michael
If you are required to enter your address, please feel free to use the PPA address of 516 N. Tejon St., 80903.
Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Sherryl
Begin forwarded message:
From: Congressman Paul Gosar <Rep.Paul.Gosar@mail.house.gov>
Date: November 12, 2024 at 6:23:35 PM MST
To: daj9809@gmail.com
Subject: Gosar Lauds Passage of Legislation Repealing GPO and WEP
For Immediate Release Contact: Anthony Foti
Date: November 12, 2024 anthony.foti@mail.house.gov
Gosar Lauds Passage of Legislation Repealing GPO and WEP
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement after passage of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, legislation repealing Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions that can reduce the benefits of certain workers who also receive a pension based on earnings that were exempt from Social Security payroll taxes:
“Social Security is one of the most important programs in the United States and is a vital source of income for many citizens of Arizona.
As a cosponsor of H.R. 82, I am very pleased that Congress finally repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) which have unfairly penalized thousands of Arizonans who have worked tirelessly their entire lives.
This nonsense policy punishes hard work and prudent planning. If you paid into Social Security, the government should not punish you and take your hard-earned benefits just because you’re a firefighter, police officer or a teacher,” stated Congressman Gosar.
REMINDER - ATTENTION MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT YET PAID THEIR DUES FOR 2025 AND/OR WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED FOR THE 2024 HOLIDAY BANQUET, SEE BELOW.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID AND/OR REGISTERED, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS REMINDER.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE PAID YOUR DUES OR REGISTERED FOR THE BANQUET, PLEASE CONTACT THE TREASURER, ED HERBERT, 503-752-9383 or eherbert503@hotmail.com
PORTLAND RETIRED POLICE AND WIDOWS ASSOC - HOLIDAY BANQUET – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13th, 2024
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FOR 2025
We’re excited to announce our annual Holiday Luncheon is Friday, Dec 13, 2024, at the Monarch Hotel!
It is also time for our annual membership renewal.
This year we are sending luncheon invitations and renewal notices by email only. Please respond by either returning your registration and check by U.S. Mail (you can print the attachment and mail it to: PRP&WA, 6272 Preakness DR, West Linn, OR 97068-2248) or register online at https://form.jotform.com/92846881686174
Any questions, please feel free to call any of our board members: Allen Freauff, Ed Herbert, Dina Lauren, Henry Groepper or Teresa Groepper (our numbers are in the Blue Book). The price of the luncheon is $25 per person; annual membership is $25 (includes spouse), widows $10, associates $25; okay to combine in single check.
We expect a large turn-out! If you show up at the luncheon and have not paid, we may not have enough room to seat you, so that is another reason for getting registered as soon as possible.
We want to keep our mailing list up to date, so any ADDRESS, PHONE OR EMAIL CHANGES, please email them to Ed Herbert (eherbert503@hotmail.com) or Dina Lauren (puddleduck010@q.com) as soon as possible. Our current deadline for changes is January 31, 2025. Our goal is to have the Blue Books mailed out by March.
Again, just a reminder our Holiday Luncheon is Friday, December 13th, 2024, at the Monarch Hotel, 12566 SE 93rd Ave in Clackamas. Sign-in starts at 10:30, social hour at 11:00 and lunch at 12 noon. Hoping to see you there!
Please bring canned goods for our SUNSHINE DIVISION Holiday Food Drive, thanks!
Happy Holidays!