Max Richtman Archives

NCPSSM Attends Signing of Social Security Fairness Act, Repealing WEP & GPO

Advocates for seniors and labor have been lobbying for decades to repeal two provisions of Social Security law that penalized public sector retirees and their families --- the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). On Sunday, the efforts of the advocacy community paid off, when President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. The new law eliminates the WEP & GPO, allowing some 2.5 million public sector retirees and spouses to collect full Social Security benefits. President Biden praised the law as a “big deal” for teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public servants “who dedicate their lives to their communities.” He said these retirees now will receive an average $360 monthly increase in Social Security benefits in 2025 --- and would also receive a lump sum payment for benefits they would have earned in 2024. The president said that the new law is in keeping with the basic promise of Social Security, “that all Americans should be able to retire with financial security and dignity.” NCPSSM CEO Max Richtman, political director Luke Warren, and communications director Walter Gottlieb attended the signing ceremony at the White House. Richtman said that the law represents the culmination of lobbying by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and myriad other groups to restore fairness to the system. “President Biden’s signing of the Social Security Fairness Act truly is historic. The new law rights a wrong that has either reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits of certain government retirees. Nearly 3 million public sector employees and families will now be eligible to collect their full Social Security benefits.” – Max Richtman, NCPSSM President & CEO The bipartisan bill passed the House in November, with the Senate vote coming at the very end of the 118th Congress’ in late December. Three of the bill’s sponsors attended the signing ceremony: Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), former Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). The bill’s Republican sponsor in the House, Rep. Garrett Graves (R-LA), did not attend. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for paying benefits to newly eligible public sector workers and families --- but has not yet specified how, promising to “provide more information as soon as available.” SSA also says that beneficiaries “do not need to take any action except to verify that we have your current mailing address and direct deposit information if it has recently changed. Most people can do this online with their personal My Social Security account without calling or visiting Social Security. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create your account. We will provide ongoing updates regarding implementation.” For more information on the Social Security Fairness Act, listen to our podcast interview with Jeff Cruz of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), one of the most forceful advocates for repeal of the WEP & GPO.

Walter Gottlieb2025-01-06T18:31:59-04:00January 6th, 2025|Categories: Congress, Max Richtman, President Biden, Social Security, WEP & GPO|

Tim Walz Brings Unwavering Support for Seniors to the Harris Campaign

Seventy percent of voters did not know who Tim Walz was before Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate on Tuesday. As Americans learn more about the Minnesota Governor and newly-minted VP candidate, they will discover that he is a true champion for seniors --- and a welcome addition to the Democratic ticket. As our president and CEO, Max Richtman, put it, Tim Walz has built an impressive record on issues affecting older Americans as a congressman and later as governor

Walter Gottlieb2024-08-07T16:27:44-04:00August 7th, 2024|Categories: Boost Social Security, Congress, Max Richtman, Medicare, Social Security|

NY Times Op-ed Attempts to Divide the Generations to Undermine Social Security & Medicare

In this "Equal Time" edition of our blog, we push back on a recent New York Times op-ed that attempts to divide the generations in order to undermine Social Security and Medicare.

Walter Gottlieb2023-11-07T10:02:58-04:00November 2nd, 2023|Categories: Equal Time, GOP, Max Richtman, Medicare, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, privatization, Retirement, Social Insurance, Social Security|

Reassurance & Warning at Social Security Town Hall in Las Vegas

The message at Thursday’s NCPSSM/AARP town hall in Las Vegas was: the government may temporarily shut down on September 30th, but Social Security is here to stay. The town hall, entitled “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow,” was an opportunity for nearly 100 Las Vegas residents to hear from some of the nation’s leading experts about the value of Social Security --- and to receive reassurance that benefits still will be paid during a shutdown.

Walter Gottlieb2023-09-29T00:50:05-04:00September 29th, 2023|Categories: Max Richtman, Social Insurance, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA)|

It’s Time to Repeal WEP & GPO, Says NCPSSM & National Task Force

NCPSSM participated in an event on the Capitol Grounds Wednesday to call for the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset( GPO), which prevent millions of public employees and their families from collecting full Social Security benefits. The event was organized by the National WEP/GPO Repeal Task Force --- a coalition of advocates representing public sector workers.

Walter Gottlieb2023-09-14T11:58:16-04:00September 14th, 2023|Categories: Congress, Max Richtman, Social Security, WEP & GPO|

NCPSSM To Participate in Harkin Social Security Symposium in DC

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare will participate in a special Social Security symposium hosted by former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and the Harkin Institute of Drake University. Featuring NCPSSM President Max Richtman and other prominent leaders from the national advocacy community.

Walter Gottlieb2023-09-05T14:48:36-04:00September 5th, 2023|Categories: Max Richtman, Rep. John Larson, Social Insurance, Social Security|

Philadelphians Flock to NCPSSM/AARP Town Hall on Social Security

More than 150 Philadelphians turned out at Center in the Park for a town hall emphasizing Social Security’s importance to the Black community, co-presented by NCPSSM and AARP Pennsylvania. Attendees learned about their earned benefits and played Social Security-themed games — including Social Security Plinko and “What does Social Security Mean to You?”

Walter Gottlieb2023-07-28T13:53:59-04:00July 27th, 2023|Categories: AARP, Max Richtman, President Biden, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA)|

“Social Security was our lifeline” says Richmond Mayor at NCPSSM/AARP Town Hall

The importance of Social Security to the Black Community could not have been clearer in Richmond, VA on Tuesday --- at the National Committee’s first town hall of a new public education campaign, “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow.” The town hall was sponsored by AARP Virginia.

Walter Gottlieb2023-07-10T12:16:20-04:00June 30th, 2023|Categories: Boost Social Security, Delay & Gain, Max Richtman, Social Security|

NCPSSM Launches New, National Social Security Campaign with AARP

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is launching a new public education campaign --- sponsored by AARP --- to correct misinformation about Social Security and emphasize the program’s value to American workers, especially to communities of color. The campaign, “Social Security: Here Today, Here Tomorrow,” will debunk myths and give workers the facts about their vital earned benefits.

Walter Gottlieb2023-07-10T12:12:03-04:00June 23rd, 2023|Categories: Boost Social Security, Max Richtman, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Social Security|

Default Could Be Devastating to Seniors on Fixed Incomes

As the country nears a projected federal default date as early as June 1, experts and advocates are warning that seniors’ benefits could be in jeopardy. A default mean that the government will not be able to meet its financial obligations, resulting in delays for vital programs like Social Security and Medicare.