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Senate Passes H.R. 82 Social Security Fairness Act by Vote 85-11, Sending It to Biden to Benefit 2 Million Public Servants

Dec 21, 2024, 12:52 PM

The U.S. Senate has passed the Social Security Fairness Act, sending it to President Biden for his signature. The legislation aims to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which have historically reduced Social Security benefits for public servants who also have pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. With a vote of 85-11, the Act is expected to benefit over 2 million retired public workers, including teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees. Senators and representatives have expressed pride in rectifying what they describe as a decades-long injustice, ensuring that these individuals receive the full retirement benefits they have earned. The bipartisan support for the bill highlights its importance to many communities across the nation, particularly in states like Massachusetts and West Virginia, where thousands of public servants will be affected. The Act has been a long-standing goal for many lawmakers, having been introduced in various forms since 2001.