The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee will convene Tuesday, March 22, to consider HR 711, a bill that would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision of the Social Security statute. The law presently reduces benefits for many individuals who are otherwise qualified for Social Security due to previous or supplemental employment.
Employees of Texas community colleges planning to retire from schools that do not participate in the Social Security system are potentially affected by the WEP. The committee hearing will not address the Government Pension Offset, which affects spouses. Here is background information on the two provisions.
HR 711’s author, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Conroe), is the chair of the committee conducting the hearing. This could be significant, but some commentators remain skeptical about the chance of passage in the House and Senate.
If enacted, the bill would insure that public employees receive the benefits earned while they paid into Social Security. HR 711 would also increase lifetime benefits, according to the Texas Retired Teachers Association. You can read the full text of the bill here.
You can also watch the meeting on the Ways and Means Committee’s website. The hearing starts March 22 at 9AM CDT.
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