Sean Reyes: “the teachers in the State of Texas and in many states do not pay Social Security taxes. Because they do not pay into…”

“the teachers in the State of Texas and in many states do not pay Social Security taxes. Because they do not pay into Social Security, teachers do not receive Social Security benefits. Instead, these teachers receive a pension from their respective State. While retired teachers may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits as a result of previous jobs, these benefits are often greatly reduced. Further, some or all of a spouse's or widow's or widower's benefits may be offset if a retired teacher receives a pension that did not require payment of Social Security benefits. This is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1217, a bill that would address the problem of reduced Social Security benefits in the case of spouses and surviving spouses who are also receiving government pensions. These would include the pensions that teachers receive from the State of Texas and other States. H.R. 121 would modify the formula, and is currently pending in the Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. Madam Speaker, there are 253 cosponsors of this important legislation, and I would request that this bill be moved out of committee and brought before the House for a vote.”