Restoring Dignity in Retirement for America’s Public Servants
The U.S. Senate has passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), marking a historic victory that will finally repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)! These federal provisions have unfairly prevented millions of peace officers, teachers, firefighters and other public servants from collecting their earned Social Security benefits since their implementation in 1983. The legislation now awaits President Biden’s signature. Once presented, he has 10 days to sign it. We have been told he will, and hopefully, by the time you read this article, he will have signed it.
For decades, the WEP and GPO have devastated retirement security for more than three million public servants nationwide. Under current law, a typical peace officer receiving a $3,000 monthly pension could see their Social Security benefits reduced by up to 50% or more due to the WEP, while their spouse’s survivor benefits could be completely eliminated by the GPO. These penalties have forced many retired public servants to continue working well into their retirement years just to make ends meet.
The path to victory was paved through strong bipartisan cooperation. Representatives Garrett Graves (R-La.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), authored this crucial legislation. H.R. 82 garnered overwhelming support with 330 co-sponsors in the House and 62 in the Senate. Once signed into law, the legislation will be retroactive to December 2023. This means every month of 2024 will be paid, providing much-needed relief to current and future retirees.
Despite this tremendous support, passing this legislation was an uphill battle at every step. When the odds seemed insurmountable, we remained steadfast in our commitment. This victory reflects decades of persistent advocacy by PORAC, our members and our allies across the nation. Together, along with our partners from the West Coast Law Enforcement Coalition, we demonstrated the power of unity in pursuing what is right.
PORAC has been at the forefront of this fight since these provisions were first enacted. Our organization has consistently advocated for the rights and benefits of our members and labor organizations nationwide. Peace officers and other public employees dedicate their lives to serving their communities, often working additional jobs throughout their careers that earned them Social Security credits. The repeal of the WEP and GPO ensures they will finally receive every dollar they’ve earned, and their spouses are not punished because they married someone who receives a pension.
We extend our gratitude to the bill’s authors, co-sponsors and advocacy partners who championed this cause. Special recognition goes to our federal lobbying team at Steptoe and our communications team at Fiona Hutton & Associates for their strategic guidance and unwavering dedication. The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions and endings.
Looking ahead to 2025, this victory energizes our continued work in advancing public safety interests in California and nationwide. While we celebrate this achievement, we’re already focusing on our next priorities: enhancing officer safety measures, securing additional funding for training programs and strengthening community relationships. These initiatives require the same determination that helped us overcome the WEP and GPO. With your continued support, PORAC stands ready to meet these challenges head-on. Subscribe to the PORAC E-Newsletter at PORAC.org to receive the latest news and updates delivered straight to your inbox.