Reps. Polidori, Constan, Dean, Durhal, Gonzales, LeBlanc, Lemmons, Liss, Roberts, Spade, Barnett and Neumann offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 134.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to enact the Social Security Fairness Act to rectify inequities in Social Security for certain public service workers.

            Whereas, In 1977 and 1983, Congress enacted legislation designed to eliminate what was perceived to be an unfair advantage for certain public service employees who also were eligible for pension benefits for private sector work not covered under the Social Security system. The formula put in place to address this perceived advantage, however, has ended up imposing a significant penalty because it does not consider fully the wages some of these employees have earned and made payroll contributions for during their employment. This inequity is compounded for some people when they attempt to receive spousal benefits after their spouse dies; and

            Whereas, The group of workers caught in this inadvertent situation includes first responders, police officers, fire fighters, postal workers, and some federal employees. It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million people are unfairly impacted by the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision, the measures that created this problem; and

            Whereas, In addition to the devastating impact on retirees who in some cases receive only 40 percent of the benefits they have rightfully earned, the continuation of this injustice could discourage people from pursuing jobs in fields that are important to our safety and our children. Legislation pending before Congress, the Social Security Fairness Act, seeks to correct this problem; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to enact the Social Security Fairness Act to rectify inequities in Social Security for certain public service workers; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.