Collins, Brown Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Public Employees Receive Full Social Security Benefits

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led a group of colleagues in introducing legislation that would ensure public sector workers and their families can receive full Social Security benefits after two previous statutes reduced them. The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) from the Social Security Act.

“Public servants from across the country have dedicated their professional careers to the service of their country, yet many face reduced retirement benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset,” said Senator Collins. “This important, bipartisan bill would eliminate these unfair provisions that have enormous financial implications for many public service employees, such as retired teachers and police officers. It would also give current public sector employees the peace of mind to know that they will be able to receive their full Social Security benefits when they reach retirement age.”

Senator Angus King is a co-sponsor on the bill and Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree have previously co-sponsored the House version of the bill.

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), enacted in 1983, reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who earned both Social Security and a pension from federal, state, or local government employment not covered by Social Security. The Government Pension Offset (GPO), enacted in 1977, reduces Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government job not covered by Social Security. Together, these provisions reduce Social Security benefits for nearly three million Americans — including many teachers, police officers, and firefighters.

The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both the WEP and GPO statutes, ensuring public sector workers and their families receive their full Social Security benefits.

Professional Fire Fighters of Maine President Michael J. Crouse said the measure is about supporting those who devote their lives to public service. He said many of his members have also worked in the private sector and paid into Social Security for many years, but because of the WEP and GPO their Social Security benefits are severely reduced or even eliminated altogether.

“Firefighters should not be denied their earned benefits because they chose a career in public service,” said Crouse. “The PFFMaine applauds Senator Susan Collins for her continued leadership and for supporting the women and men, our first responders who keep our communities safe, by sponsoring this critical legislation to repeal the WEP and GPO and we urge Congress to pass the Social Security Fairness Act now and help retired public sector employees and their families nationwide.”

If you are impacted by the WEP and/or GPO join the grass roots coalitiondemanding that Congress repeal these unfair laws.