Historic Victory for Retirement Security

After decades of work in Ohio and Washington, OAPSE has scored the most significant win for our members’ hopes for a dignified retirement. The hated Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision are no more.

OAPSE State President Lois Carson, Vice President Mike Lang, and Secretary Sheila Dawkins-Flinn brought home this victory after regular visits to Washington to pressure Congress into voting. “Shiela chaired our committee that led to this effort”, Carson said. “She and Mike worked tirelessly to finally win the repeal of these awful laws.”

OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola explained what the effect of the GPO and WEP repeal will mean. “Thousands of OAPSE members who have retired in the last 40 years have seen their monthly benefits slashed, sometimes to nothing, because of these laws. For a vast majority of our members the repeal will easily mean several thousand dollars a year more in retirement benefits.” Rugola, who first testified at Congress for the repeal of GPO and WEP nearly 35 years ago, credited OAPSE’s Officers and Executive Board members who spent time in Washington over the last few years for dedication to the cause. “Along with our entire National Union family in Washington, nothing was more important to this achievement than having the stories of real people whose lives were disrupted by this injustice. Dignity and security in retirement for our members is the fruit of their labors.”