Mandatory Social Security Coverage—
The Road to Victory
Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH)

The reappearance of a national deficit and the disappearance of the Social Security surplus will put enormous pressure on Congress to pass pension-related legislation this year, according to Sen. Voinovich. “That’s why vigilance is the word for anyone concerned with public employee retirement systems.”

Public employee pensions and health insurance programs remain one of the best reasons to work for local and state government, Voinovich said. “Our public pensions are the best. This is a treasure and we ought to do everything possible to protect this treasure,” he stated.

Voinovich congratulated NCPERS for its help in educating the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security on the reasons not to include in their report mandatory Social Security coverage. He stressed that grassroots lobbyists like those in the audience can have enormous influence with members of Congress, who in turn can influence members of the commission. The commission’s final report, however, avoided any such proposal.

Many of my colleagues know very little about public employee retirement systems,” Voinovich said. “Many don’t know anything, for example, about the Windfall Elimination Provision.” Voinovich stressed that his colleagues in Congress will listen closely to the words of their own constituents—often more so than the words of other members in the House and Senate.

In closing, Voinovich suggested that public pension officials who follow legislation remember the words of President Ronald Reagan: Trust and verify. “We have to spend more time verifying what’s happening with pensions,” Voinovich said.

Voinovich has been a strong advocate for public pensions since he began his public service career as a member of the Ohio state legislature. Subsequently he served as a county commissioner, mayor of Cleveland, governor of Ohio, and since 1998 has been a member of the U.S. Senate.