U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady discusses H.R.-711 at Lone Star College

Lone Star College System News

Published on: April 11, 2016
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, conducted a forum with Lone Star College faculty and staff to discuss H.R. 711, The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2015.
The bill would amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and help protect the retirement income of public servants.
WEP potentially reduces the Social Security retirement or disability benefits of educators, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. H.R. 711, introduced by Brady and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., will adjust this shortfall by calculating a workers benefit amount using total lifetime earnings, and adjust for the amount of earnings that came from a job or jobs covered by Social Security.
Over the past year we have brought together teachers groups, community college groups, police and firefighters across the country to work with us to hone the final solution, Brady told attendees. If we can pass this legislation, your Social Security will be figured not by some formula, but will be determined by what you pay in.
I really appreciate Representative Brady taking the time to explain this issue, said Dr. Stephen C. Head, LSC chancellor Many of our employees paid into the Social Security system prior to coming to work here. Passing this legislation is not only good for public servants in Texas, but for retirees across the country.
Brady has also met with the Firefighters Pension Board, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Texas State Firefighters Association, Firefighters Union and the Police Officers Union to help garner support.
The bill, which has been filed, is still under consideration by members of the House Ways and Means Committee but Brady said he was confident H.R.-711 would be passed in committee and then go before the full House for a vote.
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