Local 888’s new retiree chapter is off to a fast start, with upcoming sessions on the Social Security issues that public sector workers face, in particular the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The free program is set for Wed., Feb. 17, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The Zoom event is geared to members who are retired — or looking toward retirement. The SEIU Union Forever chapter also plans two workshops on the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) on March 25.
About 200 Local 888 members attended a recent workshop called Social Security 101, on Zoom and sponsored by the SEIU Union Forever chapter.
“I was really excited about how many people attended,” said Teresa Riordan, an organizer of the event. “This showed that a lot of people are looking to retire, but don’t know how to go about doing it — especially given the complicated details surrounding Social Security.”
To sign up for the Feb. 17 online event on Social Security and the WEP, email myunion@seiu888.org.
The presenter will be Shawn Duhamel, chief executive officer of the Mass Retirees Association. He will go over the Windfall Elimination Provision and answer:
- How does it impact Social Security payments for public sector retirees?
- What are the efforts to reform the law?
- How can SEIU 888 join the reform efforts?
Susan Winning, executive board member for the Local 888 retirees chapter, said Duhamel is “a nationally recognized expert on public retirement, Social Security and healthcare policy.” She added that his prior experience ranges from working as the association's legislative director to serving as a trustee on the town of Plymouth Retirement Board .
Nancy McGovern, Mass Retiree Association legislative liaison, will conduct the GIC For Retirees workshop on Zoom, March 25, set for both 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more information on the online event, email myunion@seiu888.org.
For more information on the Local 888 Union Forever chapter, go to: //www.seiu888.org/join/unionforever/.
For more information on the Union Forever’s recent Social Security workshop, see //www.seiu888.org/2020/12/18/members-eye-retirement-with-covid-style-event/.
For more on SEIU Local 888 events, see the calendar on www.seiu888.org.