The bill, aimed at rectifying Social Security benefits for public servants, including police officers, firefighters, and teachers in retirement, seeks to replace the current Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) with a more equitable formula.
U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington, representing R-Lubbock, has recently introduced H.R. 5342, known as the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act
U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington, Chair of the House Budget Committee and a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, made the announcement at Lubbock Fire Rescue Station 19, flanked by first responders and retired educators.
The existing WEP formula, established in 1983, has led to significant reductions in Social Security benefits for certain retirees, causing particular hardship for retired teachers who draw pensions from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas while also contributing to Social Security through other employment. Terry Navrkal, a 30-year Lubbock ISD veteran, emphasized the unfairness of not receiving the full benefits they contributed.
U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington’s bill addresses both groups of retirees, proposing a comprehensive approach. It offers a formula to compensate those who are under-compensated while allowing those who have received overcompensation to select the higher benefit for their entire retirement period. Arrington believes this approach strikes the right balance.
U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington is optimistic about this legislation’s potential success
U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington anticipates collaboration with Rep. Richard Neal, who introduced a similar bill, to create a unified piece of legislation that stands a good chance of becoming law. U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington, however, asserts that completely repealing the WEP, as proposed by some bills, would be fiscally irresponsible, advocating for a budget-neutral solution to address the under-compensation issue.
As of Friday, U.S. Rep. Jodey Cook Arrington’s bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, signaling the next step in its legislative journey.
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