WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Dec. 20, Congress passed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cantwell.
The bill repeals two policies that limit Social Security payments for some public sector workers and their spouses and widowers.
Sen. Cantwell explains in her press release that the repealed policies have penalized public servants such as firefighters and teachers from receiving earned Social Security benefits.
“The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act will help ensure that these public servants, including over 40,000 Washingtonians, receive the same level of Social Security as other Americans,” says Sen. Cantwell.
The Social Security Fairness Act repeals both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). According to the press release, combined, these two policies reduced benefits for over 42,000 Washingtonians in 2023.
The WEP reduces Social Security benefits for people who paid in both civil service pensions and Social Security. The GPO reduces spousal and widower Social Security benefits for people receiving pensions from a government job that is not covered by Social Security.
Once signed by President Biden, the act will go into effect immediately. Retroactive payments will be available for people affected by the WEP and GPO in 2024.
