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Washington, D.C. —The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) offered its strong support for House legislation that would provide those receiving Social Security benefits, including retirees under the Federal Employees Retirement System, with a one-time payment of $250. The Social Security Administration recently announced that these retirees, and other Social Security recipients, will not receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2011.

In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley said that, in light of the recent COLA announcement, it is imperative to approve the measure—H.R. 5987—as quickly as possible. House leadership has already committed to bring the bill to the floor in November.

At the same time, while supporting the payment option, NTEU’s letter also urged Speaker Pelosi to expand the legislation to include federal, state and local government retirees who are not eligible for Social Security benefits, such as federal annuitants under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

“NTEU stands ready to do all it can to ensure its swift passage so that seniors and other vulnerable Americans that are struggling to make ends meet during this difficult economic time are provided with much needed economic relief,” President Kelley said. “This critical legislation will provide more than 54 million of our most vulnerable seniors, retired and disabled veterans, and disabled individuals with timely relief.”

These seniors spent their lives in dedicated public service, she said, and deserve a helping hand during tough economic times. “Adding public sector retirees, including those under CSRS, to the pool of those eligible to receive the $250 benefit will enhance the legislation’s intent and provide critical economic relief to our nation’s public sector retirees,” Kelley said.

NTEU worked closely with members of both the House and Senate to ensure a $250 payment to Social Security recipients under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That bill also provided federal retirees under the CSRS with a $250 refundable tax credit.

As the largest independent federal union, NTEU represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.