Kudos to Sen. Susan Collins for working to repeal current Social Security laws, which unfairly penalize local, state and federal retirees. As a current employee of the city of Portland and a senior citizen, I stand to lose two-thirds of my husband’s Social Security pension if he predeceases me. I know others, particularly elder widows, who are struggling to make ends meet as a result of these unfair laws.

No member of Congress has worked harder to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset than Sen. Collins. When she chaired the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, she held the first Senate hearings regarding these laws that affect so many Mainers and discourage teachers from going into the teaching profession.

Teachers and other public employees should not have the stress of losing benefits during their retirement years. Thanks to Sen. Susan Collins for this important work for current and future Maine retirees.

Ann Ridge

South Portland