November 6 was a significant day
in the fight to repeal two
federal provisions that
undermine the retirement
security of hundreds of
thousands of educators and
others who have dedicated their
lives to public service.
MTA Retired member Margaret
“Peggy” Kane, who taught in
Medford for 35 years, testified
before a Senate subcommittee in
support of the Social Security
Fairness Act of 2007, which
would repeal both the Government
Pension Offset and the Windfall
Elimination Provision.
Testifying on behalf of the MTA,
Peggy relayed her own personal
story and those of other
educators. Peggy is a widow and
is unable to collect survivor
benefits because of the GPO.
“This is an issue of fairness,”
she said. “My husband worked
hard and paid into the Social
Security system for many years,
yet my family never saw a
dollar.”
To date, the MTA has collected
more than 50,000 signatures from
people calling for the repeal of
the GPO and the WEP. More
signatures are being gathered to
send to Congress.
Prior to the hearing yesterday,
Peggy joined Senator John F.
Kerry, the subcommittee chair,
at a press conference on Capitol
Hill.
Peggy did a wonderful job in
Washington, and all MTA members
have reason to be proud of her
appearance before the
subcommittee. Her activism made
a real difference!
For the full story of Peggy’s
trip to Washington and the MTA’s
effort to repeal these harmful
government offset provisions,
please visit the following link
on the MTA Web site:
http://massteacher.org/news/headlines/headlines_2007-11-06.cfm.