U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA-06) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) announced today the successful passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which aims to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This bipartisan legislation received support from a majority in the U.S. Senate and is now set to be signed into law by the president.
Graves and Spanberger expressed their gratitude, stating, “Finally, Congress showed up for the millions of Americans — police officers, firefighters, teachers, and federal employees — who worked additional jobs to support their families. We are also standing up for the many widows and widowers who have been denied their deceased spouses’ Social Security benefits during their time of grief.” They emphasized the commitment to rectify a significant injustice that has affected countless Americans for over four decades.
The lawmakers highlighted their relentless efforts to garner bipartisan support for the act, which included filing a discharge petition that successfully garnered the 218 signatures needed to compel a vote in the U.S. House. This led to a successful bipartisan vote earlier this month.
BACKGROUND
The WEP and GPO were incorporated into the Social Security Act in 1983. These provisions have significantly reduced or altogether eliminated retirement benefits for over 2.4 million Americans, many of whom have built their careers in public service roles, including essential jobs like law enforcement, firefighting, and education. According to a nonpartisan report, the WEP denies benefits to about 1.7 million individuals, while the GPO impacts more than 420,000 Social Security beneficiaries, with over 320,000 being affected by both.
Since the beginning of the 118th Congress, Graves and Spanberger have consistently advocated for the repeal of the WEP and GPO. They urged the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee to hold hearings and eventually pushed for a markup of the Social Security Fairness Act.
The WEP currently decreases Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive pension benefits from public service jobs not covered by Social Security. For instance, educators working without Social Security contributions in public schools but taking on part-time jobs that are covered witness a reduction in their benefits despite having fulfilled the work requirements. Similarly, the GPO reduces the survivor benefits for those who have served in government roles, often entirely offsetting the expected benefits for surviving spouses who also receive a government pension.
This bipartisan achievement marks a significant step toward securing equitable retirement benefits for public servants and their families, promising a more just approach to Social Security provisions in the United States.
In summary, the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act is a hopeful signal that Congress is listening to the voices of those impacted by outdated provisions in the Social Security system. This legislation not only addresses long-standing grievances but also reinforces the commitment to fair treatment for those who dedicate their lives to public service. With its forthcoming signing into law, it brings renewed hope to many Americans who have been fighting for recognition and fairness in their retirement benefits.