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Congressional Response: Representative John Sullivan (R-1st, Oklahoma) Responds To Your Notch Reform Petition
Thank you for sharing your views with me through the TREA website. I appreciate your contacting me in this way, and I am happy to respond to your question on the Notch Fairness Act. The Social Security Amendments of 1977 substantially altered the way Social Security benefits are computed. The changes were effective beginning with people who became eligible in 1979. For retirees, this meant people born after 1916. Many of those born in the 5-to-15 year period after 1916, the so-called "notch babies", have stressed that the changes in the rules caused their benefits to be lower than those of retirees who were born before and after them. A number of legislative attempts have been made over the years to modify the rules, but none have been successful. Six bills have been introduced in the 107th Congress that would provide additional cash benefits to workers born in the notch years. The two you mentioned, H.R. 97 and H.R. 853, have both been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Budget Committee. If either of these bills come to the floor of the House, please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind. Again, thank you for contacting me. It is an honor to serve you in Washington. Please do not hesitate to contact me again should you have further concerns on federal legislation or programs. John Sullivan October 2002 | ||||||||
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