Help Repeal Social Security Windfall Tax
“Please help ...”Social Security Windfall Tax
by Skip George (1970-1995)
Western Regional Vice President
For years, retired FBI Agents, other federal employees, and some state employees, have been subject to a “windfall tax” on their Social Security payments. Congress levied this tax, which I believe is around 60 percent, on federal workers, with the rationale that, because federal workers receive a civil service retirement, a penalty should be placed on any Social Security payments federal workers might receive from work either prior to or following their federal retirement. The penalty is assessed even if a worker’s additional employment is separate from and has nothing to do with federal employment. Over the years, even though this penalty has been attacked as unjust and punitive, it has remained. The logic seems to be that federal retirees already have a retirement and it would save the Social Security system money. No thought seems to be given to the fact that federal retirees have earned the required 40 quarters necessary to receive Social Security, without any federal assistance and totally separate from the federal system.
Some members of Congress have proposed bills to eliminate this windfall tax. These bills are currently in the House Ways and Means Subcommittee and the Senate Finance Committee. They need to be voted out of the committees to be voted on in the House and the Senate.
The House Bill is H.R. 82, which is in the Subcommittee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Michael R. McNulty (e-mail: mike.mcNulty@mail.house.gov, address: 1129 Longworth Office Building, Washington DC, 20515).
The Senate Bill is S. 206, sponsored by Sen. Diane Feinstein (address: U.S. Senate, 331 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, DC, 20510; http://feinstein.senate.gov. (202) 224-3841).
There are two more Bills, H.R. 2772 and S. 1647. These bills also call for the elimination of the windfall tax.
It would be helpful during this election year, if all retired FBI Agents take the time to send e-mails or letters to both Rep. McNulty and Sen. Feinstein, along with e-mails to their own representatives and senators. Just four e-mails by everyone would let Congress know there is a lot of public support for these bills. There is already support in Congress to eliminate the windfall tax. This election season is the time to push for its passage. Elimination of the windfall tax would increase considerably the Social Security benefits for each eligible retired FBI Agent.