Update: January 7, 2025
Subject: Update on WEP and GPO
There was a change in President Joe Biden’s schedule to sign the bill to eliminate the WEP and GPO. President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law Sunday afternoon.
This means that payments linked to the Social Security Fairness Act will be made retroactive to January 2024. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), if you have previously filed for Social Security benefits you do not need to take any action now except to make sure that the agency has your current mailing address and direct deposit information if your address has recently changed.
The SSA is expected to publish more details on how it plans to implement the law soon. You can for updates at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
If you have any questions regarding the WEP provision, please direct them to one of the following phone numbers listed below.
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Auburn
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1-833-388-6432
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Rockland
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1-855-269-9179
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Augusta
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1-866-882-5422
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Saco
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1-877-253-4715
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Bangor
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1-877-405-1448
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Waterville
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1-866-931-9169
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Portland
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1-877-319-3076
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Portsmouth, NH
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1-888-397-9796
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Presque Isle
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1-866-837-2719
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Social Security General Office Information
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1-800-772-1213
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Update: January 2nd,2025
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)
Good News for public service retirees! The U.S. Senate passed a bill that was co-authored by Senator Susan Collins and co-sponsored by Senator Angus King to repeal the WEP and GPO. The House of Representatives had already passed weeks earlier with bi-partisan support the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill is now on President Biden’s desk for his signature on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The Maine Association of Retirees (MAR) along with many other retiree organizations have been advocating to either eliminate the WEP and GPO, or at least change the calculation formula for public service retirees who also receive a pension from Social Security.
This means that for millions of retired people who receive pensions from work in federal, state, local government and public service jobs like teachers, firefighters and police officers the repeal eliminates the decades old reductions to Social Security benefits. Retirees who currently have reductions in their Social Security benefits due to the WEP and/or GPO will see a boost in their monthly payments.
NOTE: Specifics relative to when recipients would see an increase in their monthly Social Security payments if President Biden signs the bill are not available at this time. Quote, “The Social Security Administration is awaiting final enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act into law and rules for implementation. We will provide more information on our website, ssa.gov as it becomes available.”
Please thank Maine’s Congressional Delegation for their tireless support/work to eliminate the WEP and GPO.
Senator Susan Collins Senator Angus King
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building 133 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2523 (202) 224-5344
Representative Chellie Pingree Representative Jared Golden
2354 Rayburn House Office Building 1107 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6116 (202) 225-6306
DISCOUNTED MARINER TICKETS FOR MAR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILY!
MAR has worked with the Maine Mariners Hockey team administration to obtain discount tickets for MAR members and their families. If you go to the links below you will see a flyer, and the other link is where you can get tickets. Follow the instructions and if for some reason you have difficulty with purchasing the tickets let MAR know.
fevo-enterprise.com/group/MARSeasonLongMarinersTicketLink
MAINE STATE RETIREMENT
MainePERS is seeking your assistance to ensure your contact information is up to date. Have you moved since retiring? Has your email or cell phone number changed? Did you give up your land line? Having accurate information assists us in the verification process when you contact MainePERS and helps maintain the security of your account. It also ensures you receive critical information in a timely manner.
The quickest way to update your contact information is through the MainePERS Member Portal. If you have already registered, please login and double check your information. Need to register? Instructions are available at www.mainepers.org/memberportal.
Prefer to submit your information via mail? Complete the Member/Benefit Recipient Data Update form available at www.mainepers.org/forms-resources/forms/. A quick link to this form is available on that webpage. Just complete and mail back to MainePERS at P.O. Box 349, Augusta, ME 04332-0349.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
MAR’s spring newsletter highlighted bills pending in the Legislature which would have affected public service retirees. Ultimately, none of those bills nor others of substantial interest specifically to public service retirees were enacted. However, significant changes regarding the eligibility criteria to participate in the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) was left intact. This means that many more retirees may qualify under this Program to have their Medicare Part B premium paid. The article about the MSP provides additional information.
MAR’s attention now shifts to the 132nd Maine Legislature which will convene in January 2025. We will be discussing future legislative priorities and strategy. MAR will undoubtedly need to continue to educate legislators, especially new electees, on public service retirees’ issues. You can help by letting candidates for the Maine House and Senate who are campaigning throughout the State know your views regarding needed law changes for retirement benefits. Usually, candidates running for public office want to know about concerns that are important to you. For example, many legislators do not know that numerous public service retirees are not eligible for Social Security but are still required to pay for Medicare Part B in order to continue with their group health insurance plan. Others have limited knowledge about the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) and the constraints placed on retiree benefits.
MAR’s Legislative Committee Chair will be at the Regional and Informational Meetings. Please plan on attending one of these meetings for a more comprehensive discussion. Meeting dates/times are listed on page 1 of this newsletter. You may also contact the MAR office or your Regional Director with issues/concerns.
If you would like to show support for any of the LD’s, please contact your legislator. Following is the link to testify in person at the hearing or submit written testimony:
https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
If you would like to know what MAR has been doing with regard to Legislation that would affect Public Service retirees. Following is the link:
https://maineretirees.org/legislation-policy/
For further information contact Diane Bailey, Executive Director, Maine Association of Retirees, 157 Capitol Street, Suite #4, Augusta, ME 04330
207-582-1960 Ext. 208
Email: dbailey@maineretirees.org
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM (MSP) UPDATE – EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024
Good news! Additional changes took effect July 1st for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) due to State legislative approved amendments. The MSP helps to cover Medicare costs including paying for Part B premiums. Maine’s income criteria to determine eligibility has increased significantly.
MSP has two separate tiers which provide different levels of assistance.
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- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
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The new monthly income limits are:
| Single | Couple | |
| QMB | $2,322 | $3,138 |
| QI | $3,152 | $4,259 |
As you know, the present cost for Part B is $174.90 monthly or $2,098 annual and it is likely this amount will increase January 1, 2025. If you qualify for either QMB or QI, then the Medicare Savings Program will pay for your Social Security Medicare Part B premiums.
Other changes include:
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- As of January 1, 2024, assets are no longer counted towards determining if you are eligible for the MSP. Examples include savings accounts, additional property other than your home, stocks/bonds, etc.
- There is no estate recovery associated with MSP. No claim will be made toward your estate if the only benefit you receive is the MSP.
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NOTE: Married couples with income greater than the amounts listed above may still be eligible due to some disregards. Applications are now being accepted.
To obtain an application go to: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/applications-forms and click on MaineCare applications or you may create an account at www.mymaineconnection.gov You may also call 1-855-797-4357 or visit a local Office for Family Independence. Office locations can be found at: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/contact/offices
If you have questions or need assistance completing the application, you may contact Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine’s Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-965-7476. You may also call the MaineHealth Access to Care Coverage Team at 1-833-284-8816 or 207-662-7930.
MAINE COUNCIL ON AGING
In December MAR became a member of the Maine Council on Aging (MCOA), a broad, multi-disciplinary network of more than 135 organizations, businesses, municipalities, and older Mainers.
MCOA was established with a vision of creating an age-positive Maine where we can all live healthy, engaged, and secure lives with choices and opportunities as we age in our homes and communities. We provide a strong network with opportunities for shaping aging policy and shared knowledge. MCOA is a cohesive voice for advocacy on initiatives on aging and shared learning that are moving Maine forward toward this vision with a goal of achieving an age-positive culture by 2034.
There are many ways for MAR Members to take advantage of our work and offerings!
Join one of our free webinars hosted by our education arm, the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging (TSLCA). The TSLCA is designed to build collaborative, community networks that address the needs of older adults aging in their communities through free educational programming and networking. Check it out at www.agefriendly.community
Join our weekly Legislative calls on Monday mornings during the legislative session to keep track of what’s happening in Augusta! Contact Jena Jones at jjones@mainecouncilonaging.org to sign up and learn how you could help us at the State House!
Our Power in Aging Project engages audiences from different sectors in direct conversations about age-bias, the impacts of ageism, and the benefits of living and working in an age-positive culture. We would be pleased to offer a free session at an affinity group or community gathering. Contact Maureen O’Connor at moconnor@mainecouncilonaging.org We are also always looking for facilitators of these conversations if you’re interested in joining in the work!
The Leadership Exchange on Ageism (LEA) helps executive, business, policy, and community leaders see their role in ending ageism and provides tools to implement changes. This program is offered to Community Leaders as well – so if you’re leading a community effort or serving on a town council and want to participate contact Jess Maurer at: jmaurer@mainecouncilonaging.org.
The Equity + Healthy Aging Initiative helps aging services providers and community volunteer organizations understand the social health needs of diverse older people in Maine, the barriers diverse older people face in meeting these needs, and to integrate these needs into MCOA’s network of advocacy efforts. We also support a BIPOC Elders group and partner closely with LGBTQ Leaders on efforts to give voice to LGBTQ elders. Contact Kathy Vezina at: kvezina@mainecouncilonaging.org
For more information about MCOA visit: www.mainecouncilonaging.org.
FROM THE MAR I.T. OFFICE By: Brent Wadleigh
ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE
Lots of our members were able to learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) during MAR’S 2024 annual meeting. We received many positive comments towards the topic. For those who were not able to attend, here is a quick summary and how you can try AI right in your home. AI has immense potential for improving quality of life, if we allow it. The world is slowly moving from the “fear” stage to “acceptance” of AI, and you can too. A great way to introduce yourself to the brilliance of AI, is to visit www.chatgpt.com. ChatGPT is a tool, a companion, and currently the most powerful AI in the world. It can answer any questions, converse with you about any topic, and help you accomplish many tasks. Just simply send it a message and it will respond. You can send it pictures, chat vocally with it, or simply send it a typed message. Enjoy exploring ChatGPT.
If you are ever unsure about a message or email you received, please either call or send me an email at bwadleigh@maineretirees.org.
IT – 30 COMMON CREDIT SCAMS: Are you vulnerable?
The link below has been provided to MAR from Frank Myers, and the link will take you to a guide outlining 30 credit-card-scams to avoid. Frank is a Consultant/Researcher Digital Content and Media. We agreed that this is valuable information for our members. Take a moment and look at the guide Frank has offered us.
https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/30-credit-card-scams-to-avoid/
JOIN SOLAR
Join Solar is a leader in community solar development in
Maine and we are proud to partner with the
Maine Association of Retirees. Our membership is open to all renters and home owners who are serviced by CMP & Versant – offering these benefits:
• Free and simple to join
• Save money on your energy bill
• Support clean, local energy
• Offsite solar array, nothing on your roof
Community solar offers local residents an opportunity to
participate in clean energy production – with guaranteed savings
and no risk involved. Your community solar membership
supports the environment while lowering your utility bills. Click
this link https://enroll.joinsolar.org/community-partner to
learn more and become a member of Join Solar. If you would like
to speak with a Join Solar representative, please contact Michael
Borrell at (651)-364-7185 or michel.borrell@joinsolar.org
*Use referral code ‘MAOR-0250’ upon registration and Join Solar will donate $50 to the Maine Association of Retirees*
EDUCATION-MAINE SENIOR COLLEGE
The Senior College Network offers face-to-face and online Zoom classes at seventeen locations across the state. Starting July 1, 2024, MAR has increased annual registration reimbursement from $15 to $25. To obtain reimbursement, please provide MAR with a copy of your receipt. To find out more about the many exciting, fun and thought-provoking classes offered, visit maineseniorcollege.org or call 207-780-4128.
SENIORHOMES ORGANIZATION
Looking for senior living can be overwhelming, emotional, and time-consuming.
Staff here at MAR have connected with the Seniorhomes organization and thought their services and information would be extremely helpful in the journey to find the right match for your needs or the needs of a loved one.
This is a nationwide organization that provides a family advisor as a free resource to help you find the right match at your local level.
Along with an Advisor, Seniorhomes has hundreds of articles available to you to help educate you throughout the process.
Seniorhomes helped more than 400,000 seniors since 2009. Their web site provides information on how to determine the level of care you need. They help you explore your financial options and will even schedule a tour with the home that you may be interested in visiting.
Their articles cover subjects such as: Independent Living; Assisted Living; Continuing Care; Memory Care; Retirement
Communities; along with Aging in Place.
Take a moment and click on the link below and explore the information and services they provide.
Here is their link: https://www.seniorhomes.com/