ATPE State President Testifies Before Congress on GPO, WEP

ATPE State President Sue Melton testified before Congress January 16 on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The GPO and WEP are two offset provisions in Social Security law that can modify Social Security benefits for public employees such as Texas educators. Melton was invited by the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security to present testimony on the negative impact the GPO and WEP have had on the education profession in Texas. Melton also submitted written testimony outlining ATPE's long-held position supporting elimination of the offsets. View the written testimony.

It is not clear at this time whether the hearing will lead to congressional action on legislation that addresses this issue. However, ATPE is greatly encouraged by the increased attention congress is paying to this problem. This is the third hearing on the GPO and WEP since September 2005. This signifies that congress is at least showing interest in this issue, which has largely been ignored in the past.

ATPE will continue working to convince Congress to repeal the GPO and WEP for Texas educators.