State Legislation/Regulation

LD 155, “An Act to Eliminate the Offset for Social Security and Certain Other Pensions for Unemployment Benefits.”

Summary: This bill eliminates the pension offset against unemployment benefits for persons who receive Social Security or any other pension or plan to which the individual made at least 50% of the contributions. It the person contributed some amount to the pension, but less than 50%, the offset is made after deduction of that portion of the pension that is directly attributable to the percentage of the contributions made to the pension by that person.

Sponsor: Rep. Campbell

Cosponsors: Speaker Cummings, President Edmonds, Senators Courtney, Martin, McCormick, Perry, Raye, Rosen and Representatives Clark, Moore, Rosen, Tardy and Tuttle.

Committee: Labor

Action: Representative Jim Campbell has continually led the effort on this issue, and his dedicated work resulted in a victory for Maine’s older adults. A hearing was held on LD 155 May 7th by the Labor Committee and a work session was held on May 10th. As a result, LD 155 was rolled into another bill sponsored by Rep. Campbell, LD 1884, “An Act to Create the Competitiveness Training Fund and Improve Maine Employment Security Programs.” Governor John Baldacci signed LD 1884 into law on June 20.