FMA has long worked to eliminate both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We have endorsed the Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 (H.R. 141), legislation that would completely repeal both unfair policies. We also support several different legislative efforts to mitigate them, including the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4540) and the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (H.R. 3934 / S. 3401). This article (below) illustrates the unfairness of the WEP and how it negatively impacts workers. FMA will continue to fight for fairness on this issue.

By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner

Most working individuals in the U.S. are covered by Social Security and pay into the Social Security system by having the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax deducted from their paychecks.

Dear FMA Member:

Our country is facing many challenges at this time, and I want to commend America's federal managers and supervisors for staying focused on the vital work of serving our country's citizens.

Last week, Government Executive reported more than 10,000 federal employees have contracted Covid-19. This news came as overall confirmed positive cases in the United States passed one million. FMA members are doing their part to help stop the spread, while finding and creating ways to accomplish their missions and provide the vital services upon which the American people rely. In the midst of the early stages of a raging pandemic, we wanted to share just some of their stories that have inspired us, and that represent the great work that resilient federal managers are doing in this time of uncertainty and crisis.

By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Network

The Federal Managers Association has named as its Manager of the Year Kenneth A. Westlake, deputy director of the tribal and multimedia programs office of the EPA’s Chicago regional office and president of the FMA chapter there.