December 21, 2024

Retirees Applaud Senate Passage of Social Security Fairness Act and the Restoration of Benefits to Millions

The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding Senate passage of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act:

“Retirees are elated that the Senate passed legislation early Saturday to restore full Social Security benefits to more than 2 million Americans. Countless Alliance for Retired Americans members have been working for decades to see this bill become law.

“Because the House also passed the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, on November 12, this bill can now head to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature. We urge him to sign it as soon as possible.

“For too long, the government has taken away Social Security benefits from millions of retired federal, state and local government employees who worked as teachers, police, firefighters, postal workers and general employees — benefits they earned when they worked other jobs.

“The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for public sector retirees who receive a public pension — or the spouse or survivor of a Social Security beneficiary — who worked in a job not covered by the Social Security program.

“The WEP and GPO disproportionately affect lower-income workers and women. As a result of Saturday’s vote, millions of Americans will finally have the retirement they earned.”

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Contact: David Blank, dblank@retiredamericans.org