Is AARP doing anything to support H.R.82 - Social Security Fairness Act of 2021?

[bp35128473]

Hi I'm a long time AARP member and I was wondering if AARP was aware of and taking any action on supporting H.R.82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021? This legislation would make millions of pensioners like myself eligible for social security benefits we've earned in the private sector that have been offset by our service in government (teachers, police, federal employees). Thanks for any action and information.

[BarbaraE618318]

The Windfall Elimination (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) have both affected me.  I worked for half of my career paying into Social Security (SS). The other half, I worked at institutions that did not take out Social Security and instead deducted part of my pay for a pension. As a result, I have lost 1/3 of my earned Social Security benefit under the WEP. When my husband retired, I was contacted by SS for an appointment to explain spousal support and the amount of SS I would receive if my husband passed before me. During the appointment, the SS adjudicator was as surprised as I was to learn that I would receive neither of these benefits because of my pension is $1,100 a month and under the GPO if it is over $900 a month I am excluded. As you are aware the $900 pension amount is badly outdated as the GPO was enacted 40 years ago. So, for me, I am receiving $1,000 a month less in SS benefits now and if my husband were to pass, another $758 a month. This is enough money to change our standard of living in retirement right now and for me, potentially in the future. I feel blindsided by this and feel cheated out of earned SS benefits from both my years of contributing and my husbands.

HR 82 would not only improve my situation but that of so many people I know who are in the same situation or worse. I appreciate any efforts on AARPs behalf to bring it forward.