[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         THE SOCIAL SECURITY WIDOWS AND SPOUSAL PROTECTION ACT

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                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, I am here today to introduce a 
bill that addresses a serious problem that affects many retired federal 
and state employees in Maine and across the nation.
  Public servants have performed incredibly important services for 
their communities and country, but sadly many are being driven into 
poverty because of the Government Pension Offset, GPO. Of the 5,300 
workers in Maine subject to this provision, 3,700 lose all of their 
Social Security widows or spousal benefits to the GPO. I just don't 
think that's fair for people who have devoted years to public service.
  The effects of the current Government Pension Offset formula are most 
dramatic on lower income women--79% of beneficiaries affected by the 
GPO are women. After raising their families and serving the public, 
these women are devastated by losing most or all of their Social 
Security benefits after the already overwhelming loss of their spouses 
to death or divorce.
  The legislation I am proposing is targeted at lifting out of poverty 
those hardest hit by the GPO. It would eliminate the GPO for 
beneficiaries whose combined monthly pension and Social Security widows 
or spousal benefits before offset is less than half the maximum Social 
Security benefit. Others would see a graduated Government Pension 
Offset. Under this formula, no one would see a reduction in their 
Social Security benefits and those in the lower incomes would have 
benefits raised to a livable rate.
  I am pleased that the legislation has earned the support of both the 
Maine Education Association and the Maine State Employees Association. 
Lorraine Noel, President of the Maine Federation of Chapters for the 
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, states, 
``This legislation is a good first step in addressing the injustices 
caused by the Government Pension Offset.''
  Make no mistake, I remain committed to completely repealing the GPO 
and the Windfall Elimination Provision, and have cosponsored a bill to 
do so. But in a struggling economy, measures to overturn these offsets 
are difficult. I hope this incremental reform will alleviate the worst 
effects on those most damaged by the Government Pension Offset and 
bring our vulnerable public servants out of poverty.
  Please join me in supporting the Social Security Widows and Spousal 
Protection Act of 2010. We should not have someone's years of public 
service be the cause of their poverty.

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