For Immediate Release

April 2, 2003

Washington, DC - Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) offered an amendment to remove Section 418 in HR 743, the Social Security Protection Act. This legislation fails to protect public employees who will suffer at the hands of an unfair provision know as the Government Pension Offset. Allowing section 418 to remain in HR 743 would require Texas teachers to work five additional years in order to collect full widow’s benefits.

 

“Section 418 of the Social Security Protection Act is a problem for some of our public servants, especially our teachers, police officers and fire fighters” said Green. “A 73 year old teacher who worked in Aldine Independent School District in Houston, Texas, is ready to retire but if she retires, she’ll lose her husband’s widow’s benefit. Under Section 418 she will have to work until she is 78 years old in order to receive a full spousal benefit.”

 

“We all know teachers in this country are chronically underpaid, and in need of every retirement benefit they can get.” Green added. “Teachers should not be punished; we must address the underlying problem which is to remove Section 418 of HR 743.”