WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman William Jefferson, D-LA, will offer an amendment to exempt the first $1,200 of combined pension income from current pension offset provisions, which now reduce benefits for federal and other government retirees and ravage benefits for widows who are eligible for both civil service pensions and Social Security spousal benefits.

"Putting an end to this injustice is a top priority for me. . .many senior citizens groups and federal, state and local government employees across the country. . .and for the 207 co-sponsors of the pension offset reform legislation," Jefferson said.

"The time to reform the harsh and unfair pension offset law is now," said Jefferson, who has championed the reform legislation for almost a decade.

Jefferson's legislation (H.R. 1217) does not completely repeal the pension offset provisions, but provides a modification that will allow retired government workers and widows affected to receive a minimum $1,200 combined monthly benefit.

"This is good economic, social and public policy. Limiting the exclusion to $1,200 of combined benefits allows us to protect our teachers and other low waged government workers from poverty while still allowing us to prevent abuses by high-pensioned workers targeted by the government pension offset." the five-term New Orleans congressman said.

"Best of all, it provides this needed security without threatening the long-term viability of the Social Security system," he said.

Jefferson's pension offset legislation has 207 co-sponsors, most of whom were recruited through a strong grassroots lobbying effort spearheaded by the Coalition to Assure Retirement Equity (CARE).