By Joanna Putman
EMS1
WASHINGTON — More than two million public servants, including police officers and firefighters, could see improved retirement benefits following recent bipartisan progress in Congress.
On Nov. 12, the House passed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which aims to eliminate Social Security provisions that reduce public servants’ benefits, according to a news release.
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions currently reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for more than two million public servants, including police officers, teachers and firefighters, who have paid into Social Security but are often penalized due to separate pensions from their public service roles, according to the release.
U.S. Representatives Abigal Spanberger (D-VA) and Garret Graves Graves (R-LA) emphasized that the bill addresses an “injustice” faced by those who took on second jobs or career shifts to support their families. They noted the widespread bipartisan support for the measure in both chambers, with 62 senators already backing the legislation, surpassing the threshold needed for a Senate majority, according to the release.
“This legislation provides a path toward a secure retirement for thousands of public servants and their families who have waited decades for this correction,” the statement reads.
