WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman William J. Jefferson, D-LA, said Wednesday that he is confident that there will be a public hearing on his government pension offset reform proposal in June or July, noting that there are now 235 co-sponsors for the legislation.

"I'm confident that the powerful grassroots lobbying effort that has generated 235 co-sponsors will be rewarded with a hearing in Congress in either June or July," Jefferson said.

Jefferson said that Rep. E. Clay Shaw, chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, had agreed to hold a hearing on the government pension offset legislation, H.R. 1217.

Jefferson's legislation (H.R. 1217) exempts 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.

Simply, here's how government pension offset penalizes a public employee or spouse eligible for a $600 government pension and $600 Social Security benefit, or a combined $1,200 monthly benefit. Current law will reduce the Social Security benefit by two-thirds, leaving a combined $800 monthly benefit.

Jefferson's reform legislation repeals the offset provision for any combined retirement benefit totaling $1,200, or less. Offset provisions would continue to apply on Social Security benefits that exceed the $1,200 threshold.

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