Legislation & Policy
MAR is a strong legislative advocate for public service retirees. As Legislative Documents (LDs) are printed, they are reviewed for relevancy towards assisting MAR in continuing to meet our Mission for public service retirees.
MAR has a Legislative Committee that monitors legislation, testifies at hearings, attends work sessions and continually works with legislators throughout each Legislative Session.
E-Mail blasts are sent out from MAR to members on LDs which may impact their benefits and financial wellbeing. However, it is important for public service retirees to let legislators know their concerns/support on potential LDs as the most effective advocates are our members. If you do not receive these email blasts from MAR, Please provide us with your email address.
Following is the link to a spreadsheet which lists the LDs MAR has been involved with during the last session of the 132nd Legislature which adjourned on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
132nd First and Second Session.
The Second Session (short session for carry over bills and emergency legislation) of the 132nd Legislature had a number of carry over bills pertaining to State payment for Medicare Part B, changes in the cost-of-living adjustment, and assistance with property taxes. Unfortunately, these bills were voted out-of-committee but died due to lack of funding. Reminder that many present Maine legislators are running for re-election this fall and they need to know their constituents' issues/concerns.
On another front, the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force created by the Legislature in 2025 has provided an interim report to the Legislature’s Taxation Committee. In addition to seeking additional time to continue its work, the Task Force has made a series of far-ranging recommendations.
The Maine State Legislature’s website https://legislature.maine.gov lists both Representatives and Senators contact information.
When the Legislature is in session to participate/view legislative public hearings and work sessions, go to https://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees select the committee and then click “live stream.”
Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) & Government Pension Offset (GPO)
When President Joe Biden signed HR82 the Social Security Fairness Act into law on January 5, 2025, it was a historic win for many public service retirees. MAR continually advocated for elimination of both the WEP and GPO with Maine’s Congressional Delegation. Our Legislature unanimously showed support by passing a Joint Resolution to reform the offsets. Specific information can be found at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html
Maine Legislature Shows Its Support for Repealing Social Security’s WEP and GPO provisions.
On March 24, 2015 and March 25, 2015, the Senate and House passed unanimously a Joint Resolution, introduced by Senator Roger Katz (R-Kennebec), “Memorializing The President and Congress of the United States to Support the Reform of the Social Security Offsets of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.”
Copies of this Joint Resolution will be presented to Members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation and will be sent to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, and the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate.
The Maine Association of Retirees, representing approximately 14,000 recipients of a Maine Public Employees Retirement System pension, is actively advocating for changes in Social Security’s Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Action on Social Security Windfall & Government Pension Offset Provisions
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – The proposal by Representative Richard Neal (H.R. 4540) has 140 cosponsors, including Maine's Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden. H.R. 4540 reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), providing eligible individuals a $150 monthly rebate before 2022, but does not address the Government Pension Offset (GPO). According to Mass Retirees CEO Shawn Duhamel, “Our members need relief from the WEP and they need it now.” There are no updates on the GPO.
Find Your State Legislators
All MAR Members should know their State Representative and Senators, and how to contact them.
When contacting your Reps in Augusta, mention that you are an active Maine Association of Retirees member and that MAR has nearly 12,000 active members statewide.
Maine’s Congressional Delegation
Senator Susan M. Collins
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: (202)224-2523
Fax: (202)224-2693
http://wwwcollins.senate.gov/
susan@collins.senate.gov
Representative Chellie Pingree (D)
District 1
2162 Rayburn HOB
Washington DC 20515
(202) 225-6116
http://pingree.house.gov
chellie@pingree.house.gov
Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
133 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Senator@King.senate.gov
www.king.senate.gov/contact
Representative Jared Golden (D)
District 2
1223 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6306
Fax: (202) 225-2943
https://golden.house.gov/