President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, bringing monumental changes to Social Security benefits for millions of public sector workers. The act repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which had significantly reduced Social Security benefits for individuals receiving government pensions.
Restoring Benefits for Millions
Effective after December 2023, the repeal restores full benefits for over 2.7 million people. Those impacted will receive lump-sum payments in 2024 to compensate for lost benefits, along with an average monthly increase of $360, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
“These changes extend Social Security benefits for millions of public employees and their families,” President Biden stated during the signing ceremony.
Long-Awaited Repeal of GPO and WEP
The GPO and WEP, in place for over 40 years, reduced benefits for public servants like teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
- The WEP reduced Social Security payments for individuals with pensions from jobs where payroll taxes were not withheld, affecting approximately 2 million beneficiaries by the end of 2023.
- The GPO restricted spousal and survivor Social Security benefits for those earning government pensions, impacting around 750,000 beneficiaries.
With these provisions repealed, public employees and their families will now receive full Social Security benefits.
Lump-Sum Payments and Implementation
Starting in 2024, over 2.5 million Americans will receive lump-sum payments to compensate for benefits lost under the GPO and WEP. While the SSA has not released detailed implementation plans, Social Security payments due after December 2023 will reflect these changes. Advocacy groups have hailed this as a historic achievement.
Also Read – COLA 2025 Update: How the 2.5% Increase Affects Your Social Security Payments
Strong Bipartisan Support
The measure received overwhelming bipartisan backing:
- The Senate passed it by a majority of 76 votes on December 21, with leadership from Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
- The House approved it in November with a 327-vote majority, led by Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Garret Graves (R-La.).
Advocacy and Historical Impact
Advocates for public retirees have long called for the repeal of these provisions. William Shackelford, president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, celebrated the victory, noting, “This has been more than 40 years in the making.” He also paid tribute to those who were affected by the provisions but did not live to see this change.
The Social Security Fairness Act marks a milestone in addressing long-standing inequities for public servants, ensuring millions of Americans receive the benefits they deserve.
For the latest updates on Social Security and breaking news, follow Times Now.
