The following is an email exchange between Professor Richard Johnson, Legislation Coordinator of the UIC Chapter of SUAA, and AARP. The exchange took place on Monday, October 27, 2003.
Professor Johnson to AARP:
To Whom It May Concern:
As a long time member of AARP and a supporter of its legislative goals, I am
very disappointed by the lack of support of AARP for pending Social Security
Offset legislation (HR 594 and S 349).
Even though I qualify for full benefits under Social Security, these benefits
have been substantially reduced because I happen to have worked for over thirty
years in Illinois public education, a state having a separate retirement system
apart from the Social Security System. I fail to see the fairness in this situation,
one over which I had no control.
I ask that AARP take a public position in favor of these bills to correct this
injustice to me and the many others in this situation.
Richard M. Johnson, Professor Emeritus
University of Illinois at Chicago
AARP's Response:
Thank you for contacting your AARP headquarters about government pension reduction provisions, often called the Government Pension Offset or "GPO." We appreciate hearing from you. In responding, I want to give you a little information about this provision and how it came to pass, as well as what effect your communication has on AARP policy.
By law, Social Security benefits in retirement may turn out to be reduced if: (1) you receive pension payments from government work that was not covered by Social Security (such as Civil Service, or certain state or local pensions); and (2) you are also eligible for Social Security benefits as a spouse or former spouse. The Social Security benefit is reduced by two-thirds of the amount of the "non-covered" government pension. Non-covered means the employer was not participating in the Social Security program. The reduction is called the Government Pension Offset.
The GPO was enacted to correct a previous inequity. Almost from the beginning of Social Security, under the "dual entitlement" rule, a person could not receive both his/her full earned Social Security benefit plus a full Social Security spousal benefit. However before the GPO, a person who got a government pension from a job not covered by Social Security could receive the full spousal benefit from Social Security in addition to that other pension. There was no offset.
Two-income couples in which one had paid into Social Security and the other had paid into another government pension plan kept both benefits, while two-earner couples in which both had paid into Social Security over their lifetime were subject to the offset. Congress extended the offset provision in order to treat spousal benefits similarly.
AARP has not taken a position on this issue. Every year, through our all-volunteer National Legislative Council and Board of Directors, the association engages in a very thorough public policymaking process. We re-examine current policies and consider whether AARP should take positions on new issues. Communications such as yours from members play an important part in forming association policy. Concerns are examined and considered carefully during the annual process.
In terms of setting priorities and using association resources effectively, the Board must choose among many public policy matters. Often, the large number of people affected, the long-term effect or costs of the issue, or consistency with other advocacy positions help determine AARP support or opposition. You may be discouraged that the organization is not actively supporting your position on the pension offset. I hope you do find worthwhile the many other issues AARP has chosen to influence on behalf of older Americans and their families, as well as products, publications and services.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything headquarters staff can do to be of assistance in the future.
June
Member Service
Member@aarp.org
Legislation Alerts | Officers and Board Members | Contact Information | Useful Links | UIC/SUAA Home Page | SUAA
Last modified: Nov. 20, 2004