Many retirees whose Social Security retirement benefits are reduced by the windfall elimination provision (WEP) would get more money each month if a bill proposed by a Massachusetts congressman becomes law.

WEP cuts Social Security benefits received by all individuals who are eligible for them in addition to a pension from a job that was not covered by Social Security.

The Windfall Elimination Provision Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 726), introduced on Jan. 30 by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., would apply WEP only to retirees whose total monthly income - pension plus Social Security - exceeds $2,500. (The figure would be adjusted for inflation.) The bill would phase in WEP for individuals with incomes above the threshold.

CPRS does not have a position on WEP reform, though coalition leaders have expressed concern that lawmakers could seek to pay for changes in WEP by forcing all newly-hired public employees to participate in Social Security.

Frank proposed a similar bill in the last Congress that never made it out of committee.