NEWS from Congressman John W. Olver 1027 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-2101 Tel: 202-225-5335 Fax: 202-226-1224  Representing the First District of Massachusetts

WASHINGTON – Congressman John W. Olver (D-1st District) announced today that he is an original co-sponsor of bi-partisan legislation to reform the federal Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision under Social Security.

Congressman Olver said, “The GPO law was enacted to create a fairer formula for determining Social Security benefits for spouses and widows, however it inadvertently hurts lower paid pensioned workers such as clericals, school bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teacher’s aides.”

“Social Security formulas are often complicated and difficult, but we have the opportunity to rectify the unfair provision by enacting specifically tailored reform,” Olver continued.

Passage of the Government Pension Offset (GOP) provision in 1977 was an effort to ensure that people who have worked primarily in government employment are treated similarly to those who have worked primarily in employment covered by Social Security.

For example, under the current Government Pension Offset (GPO) law, a Social Security widow’s benefit may be reduced or eliminated if the widow is eligible for a pension based on a state, local or federal job that was not covered by Social Security.

The reform legislation introduced today would not repeal the GPO entirely. However, the GPO would only apply if a pension from public employment, combined with a social security survivor’s or spouse’s benefit, exceeds $1200 per month.

The legislation will be referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for consideration.