King, Plummer Resolution to End WEP and GOP Passes Ohio Senate

COLUMBUS – State Representative Angie King’s (R-Celina) and Phil Plummer’s (R- Dayton) resolution urging Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset found the same favor in the Ohio Senate Wednesday after the House passed the legislation in December. House Concurrent Resolution 6 urges Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Program and give those that pay into Social Security their full benefits upon retirement.
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) was enacted in 1983 as a modified benefits program for employees who receive a pension for their public service. Under the WEP, public employees can have their social security earning potential lowered by up to 50% due to also earning a public pension. “I’m grateful for the Senate’s approval of this important piece of legislation,” said King “Our public servants paid into Social Security at the same rate as someone that isn’t working for the local or state government,” said King. “To take away their Social Security because of their public service diminishes their rightfully earned benefits and penalizes them for their service to Ohio.” There are currently more than 1.7 million people in the Ohio Public Retirement System that are affected by WEP. “This program attempts to put everyone on an even playing field, but in reality, it hurts those that need some of the most help when they reach the age of retirement,” said Plummer. “Employees should not be penalized for choosing to serve the public.”