Problem Solvers Back Legislation to Guarantee Full Social Security Benefits for Police Officers, Firefighters, and Public Servants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Social Security Fairness Act, legislation to ensure that American public servants and their families receive full Social Security benefits.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced by Representatives Garret Graves (LA-06) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) and has 319 additional cosponsors, 53 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Spanberger and David Valadao (CA-22).
The legislation would repeal 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.
The Social Security Fairness Act marks the latest in a series of Problem Solvers Caucus endorsements of legislation supporting law enforcement officers and their families. During the 118th Congress, the Caucus also endorsed the Invest to Protect Act, which would create and fund a grant program to support small law enforcement agencies. The Problem Solvers Caucus also endorsed the Providing Child Care to Police Officers Act, legislation that would establish funding for local law enforcement child care facilities throughout the country.
“All Virginians and Americans across our country who dedicated much of their careers to public service deserve the Social Security benefits they have paid into throughout their careers. But right now, millions of Americans are being denied their full benefits due to the WEP and the GPO — two provisions which unfairly reduce public servants’ benefits,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). "After hearing for years from police officers, firefighters, educators, federal employees, and postal workers, I've been proud to help lead the Social Security Fairness Act to make sure no American is penalized for their public service. I’m encouraged to have the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus on this commonsense legislation that is supported by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.”
“The WEP and GPO unfairly reduce the benefits of hard-working Americans who had jobs in the public sector,” said Congressman David Valadao (CA-22). “The Social Security Fairness Act will right this wrong and ensure our public servants who have paid into the system receive the full Social Security benefits they deserve. I’m proud to be a co-sponsor and I’m glad the Problem Solvers Caucus is endorsing this bipartisan bill to strengthen Social Security.”
“All federal workers, including police officers, firefighters, and teachers, deserve their full Social Security benefits,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “As co-chair of the bipartisan Problems Solvers Caucus and a co-sponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act, I am pleased our caucus has endorsed this bipartisan legislation that would give millions of these workers the benefits they rightfully accrued during their years of service to the federal government.”
“I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the Social Security Fairness Act, which will ensure that those who devote their careers to service — teachers, firefighters, cops, and more — can access both their pension and Social Security benefits at retirement,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “We should never penalize someone for pursuing a career in public service.”
“Many of our first responders retire in their 40’s and 50’s, and then they start second careers where they pay into Social Security. They should be able to receive the Social Security benefits that are commensurate with the level they paid into the system. It’s their money and they are deserving of it,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02).
“Our retired teachers and firefighters, among other public retirees, are losing thousands of dollars a month because of this horrible policy,” said Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01). “This is their money and they deserve it back. It should have happened years ago.”
“From Day One, I have pledged to protect our nation’s Social Security commitments and ensure this vital program remains strong for future generations,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “That’s why I was proud to co-sponsor the Social Security Fairness Act, which will eliminate the government pension offset – ensuring spouses, widows, and widowers who receive government pensions would never see their Social Security cut as a result. I am pleased that this bill has received the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus – a testament to the bipartisan support for protecting these hard-earned benefits.”
“Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and teachers serve our communities every day and deserve our recognition and support,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40). “That's why I support the Social Security Fairness Act to allow them to receive Social Security benefits they have rightfully earned. I’ll always be a loud voice for our seniors.”
“Teachers, police officers, firefighters and emergency responders are the public servants who keep our communities running. They should receive every penny in Social Security payments they’re entitled to. I’m proud to see the Problem Solvers Caucus endorse the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to ensure all our public servants and their spouses receive the retirement security they deserve,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02).
“Safeguarding Social Security and other important safety net programs for Americans has been a priority of mine since day one in Congress, which is why I am proud to co-sponsor the Social Security Fairness Act,” said Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04). “This bipartisan legislation eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision as well as the Government Pension Offset from the Social Security Act and will help increase Social Security benefits for millions of federal workers in the process, including many teachers and brave first responders. The Social Security Fairness Act is commonsense legislation that I am proud to enthusiastically endorse.”
"For decades, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) have undermined the retirement security of millions of teachers, law enforcement, and public servants,” said Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21). “That is why, I am pushing for the Social Security Fairness Act to fix this long-standing inequity. All Americans deserve to receive the benefits they have earned and deserve."
“Our seniors’ Social Security should never be a political bargaining chip. They worked hard, and they deserve the benefits that they were promised,” said Congressman John James (MI-10). “The Social Security Fairness Act is an important step in assuring that our seniors are not unfairly punished and prevented from receiving the benefits they are owed. I will always stand up for our seniors and assure that their benefits are protected.”
“The WEP and GPO provisions do not eliminate a windfall for workers—instead it’s a windfall for the government who are keeping money paid into the Social Security system by these dedicated public servants. That’s not right and it’s not fair! It is time that this legislation finally gets a vote on the House floor. Passing the Social Security Fairness Act would make a real difference in the lives of our nation’s retired public servants,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “We are grateful to all the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus for taking part in correcting this injustice for public servants.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
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