House Budget Blueprint Targets Retirement Benefits

The House Budget Committee yesterday approved a fiscal year 2019 budget resolution outlining cuts of more than $302 billion to federal programs and $32 billion from federal retirement benefits over ten years.

Specifically, the House Budget Committee’s Budget Blueprint calls for:

• Increasing required Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employee contributions by approximately 6 to 7 percent. Most FERS employees would absorb over a 6 percent pay cut.

• Eliminating the FERS supplement for employees who retire before they can collect Social Security benefits.

• Eliminating the FERS defined pension benefit.

In advance of the vote, NTEU sent a letter to Budget Committee members urging them to reject these cuts.

“The federal government should instead be acting to protect these benefit programs, as well as setting an example for the private sector, and devoting its resources to extending retirement security for all Americans,” wrote National President Tony Reardon. He reminded lawmakers that federal employees have already contributed approximately $200 billion toward deficit reduction since 2010.

It’s not clear whether there is enough support to bring the measure to the House floor.

NTEU continues to closely monitor the fiscal 2019 budget process and will work with congressional allies to block cuts to federal retirement programs.

Learn what you can do here.