Nearly 3 million public sector employees are on the verge of being able to receive the Social Security benefits they’ve earned — thanks to the United States Senate. The Senate has passed the Social Security Fairness act, which repeals two unpopular provisions of Social Security law — the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) & GPO (Government Pension Offset). These rules prevent certain public sector retirees and family members from collecting some or all of their Social Security benefits. The legislation, which originated in the U.S. House, now goes to President Biden for his signature.
We supported this bill because it removes an unfairness in the system by finally allowing teachers, firefighters, and police officers (among others) and their families to collect full Social Security benefits. Many of our own members and supporters made it clear that they want the WEP & GPO repealed.
We opposed amendments that would have diluted this legislation or cut Social Security benefits — including raising the retirement age — and sent letters to all 100 Senators urging them to reject such efforts. All of the amendments were defeated.
The Senate vote delivers us to the doorstep of a long-sought goal — to restore fairness to a system that has worked incredibly well for nearly 90 years to provide American workers with basic financial security.” – Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media Inquires:
Walter Gottlieb