ICYMI: Problem Solvers Caucus-Endorsed Social Security Fairness Act Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday, President Joe Biden signed the Problem Solvers Caucus-endorsed Social Security Fairness Act into law, expanding Social Security benefits for millions of retired public servants.
The landmark legislation, introduced by Representatives Garret Graves (LA-06) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The bill gained momentum after receiving an endorsement from the Problem Solvers Caucus during National Police Week last May. Representatives Spanberger and David Valadao (CA-22) led Caucus endorsement.
The legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) from the Social Security Act. The WEP reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who receive a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security, while the GPO reduces benefits for surviving spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. These provisions unfairly reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for three million Americans, including police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other public servants who have dedicated their careers to serving their communities.
“This moment is more than 40 years overdue — and this moment is a huge win for thousands of Virginians and millions of dedicated public servants across the country,” said former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). “After years of hard work, I’m proud to see my bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act now signed into law to finally eliminate the WEP and GPO. I want to thank my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus for agreeing that no retiree in America should be penalized for pursuing public service.”
“After years of bipartisan efforts to ensure our public service workers receive the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned, we’ve finally crossed the finish line,” said Congressman David Valadao (CA-22). “With the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act into law, a decades-old wrong has finally been righted, officially eliminating the GPO and WEP. This is a victory for teachers, police officers, firefighters and countless other public servants throughout the country who work every day to serve our communities. This moment demonstrates the power of persistent, bipartisan cooperation to pass common-sense legislation. I’ll continue working across the aisle to do right by my constituents.”
“Those who devote their careers to service — teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, postal workers, and more — should never be penalized when it comes to their pension and Social Security benefits at retirement. I’m proud to have supported the bipartisan, bicameral Social Security Fairness Act to ensure that public servants and their families receive full Social Security benefits,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m extremely glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse, help overwhelmingly pass in the House, and now get this commonsense legislation signed into law to get the backs of those who give so much to our communities every day.”
"After years of fighting, we’ve finally secured a monumental victory for the hardworking public servants of PA-01 and across the country," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "As a longtime champion and proud co-sponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act, I’m proud to see this critical bipartisan legislation signed into law. By eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, we’ve righted a wrong that has persisted for decades, restoring the full benefits that these dedicated Americans have rightfully earned. This is a victory for those who teach, protect, and serve, and I’m honored to have stood alongside them every step of the way.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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