The Senate passed H.R. 82, a historic piece of legislation that will repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions that have unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for Missouri’s retired teachers and public school employees. This monumental step comes after years of advocacy by the Missouri Retired Teachers and Public School Personnel Association (MRTA) and its members.

“We are thrilled that the Senate has passed H.R. 82 today,” said Maria Walden, Executive Director of MRTA. “This victory is a testament to the hard work of our members, whose personal stories and tireless efforts were key to making this happen. This legislation will finally put an end to the unjust penalties that have impacted the retirement security of Missouri’s teachers and public school employees for decades.”

The passage of H.R. 82 in the Senate follows its overwhelming approval in the House of Representatives earlier this fall, with a vote of 326 to 75. This success is the culmination of years of advocacy, including countless letters from MRTA members, meetings with lawmakers, and grassroots efforts to garner support for the bill. MRTA has been fighting for this repeal since 1983.

“Today’s vote is a huge win for Missouri’s retired teachers and public school personnel,” said Randy McClain, Legislative Chair of MRTA. “We’ve been advocating for the repeal of WEP/GPO for decades, and this victory would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our members and other education associations, such as MoASSP, MASA, etc. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together and make our voices heard.”

As MRTA members and supporters celebrate today’s Senate victory, they also acknowledge the hard work that lies ahead in ensuring the smooth implementation of this historic legislation.

“While we celebrate this monumental win, our work is not done,” Walden added. “We will need to reach out to President Biden to ensure that he signs this monumental legislation. We will also continue to monitor the implementation of H.R. 82 and work to ensure that its benefits reach all those impacted by WEP/GPO. But today, we pause to celebrate a significant victory for our members and for all who have fought for fairness and equity in retirement benefits for educators. Thank you to our over 30,000 members that answered the call to action to make this day possible.”

For more information or to take action, visit www.mrta.org.