U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) have announced a significant milestone in their bipartisan efforts to reform Social Security. The Senate has passed the Social Security Fairness Act, which seeks to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The bill now awaits the president’s signature.
In a joint statement, Graves and Spanberger emphasized the importance of this legislation for millions of public servants such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and federal employees. They highlighted how these individuals often take on additional jobs to support their families or resume their careers, only to face unfair deductions from their Social Security benefits. They expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support in Congress and the longstanding efforts of advocates to bring attention to this issue that has affected countless Americans for decades.
The representatives revealed that prior to the October recess, they had filed a discharge petition for the Social Security Fairness Act, successfully gathering the 218 necessary signatures to mandate a vote in the House. This strategy paid off, as both chambers of Congress ultimately voted in favor of the legislation.
The WEP and GPO were integrated into the Social Security Act in 1983 and currently impact over 2.4 million Americans. According to a nonpartisan 2024 report, WEP reduces the benefits for more than 1.7 million individuals, while GPO negatively affects over 420,000 beneficiaries. Additionally, approximately 320,000 retirees are impacted by both provisions, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
Graves and Spanberger have been advocating for this reform since the beginning of the 118th Congress. They urged the House Ways and Means Committee to consider the proposed changes, leading to hearings and further discussions about the necessary steps to eliminate the WEP and GPO.
The WEP reduces benefits for those receiving a public pension from jobs that are not covered by Social Security, essentially penalizing individuals like educators who work part-time in positions that are covered. Furthermore, the GPO reduces spousal benefits for public service workers who collect pensions, often completely offsetting benefits due to the stringent calculations involved.
This legislative move is a hopeful sign for those affected by these provisions, representing a chance for improved financial stability and fairness in the Social Security system. The advocates and lawmakers involved in this push have demonstrated persistence in their fight for justice, setting a positive precedent for future bipartisan collaboration on significant issues impacting American lives.