The Senate approves the bill to strengthen social security for public employees

On December 21, 2024By Littum

In one of its last proposals before the holiday break, the Senate early Saturday approved a bipartisan bill that would increase Social Security benefits for millions of public employees.

The House approved House Resolution 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by a margin of 76-20. All 20 no votes were among Senate Republicans. The bill was previously approved by the House by a margin of 327-76.

With House and Senate approval, it goes to President Joe Biden for his signature into law.

Supporters of the bill say nearly 2.8 million public employees, including teachers, police officers and others in government, would be eligible for larger Social Security payouts in retirement.

If President Biden signs it, the bill would eliminate the windfall elimination provision and the public pension compensation for state employees. The Windfall Elimination provision reduces Social Security benefits for a person who also receives a public pension from a job that is not covered by Social Security.

Public pension equalization reduces a spouse’s Social Security benefits by two-thirds of a worker’s public pension.

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association was among numerous organizations that supported the legislation.

“Congressional passage of the bill is a historic victory for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, which has advocated for the repeal of the WEP and GPO for 40 years. It will bring significant financial relief to federal retirees who have been unfairly penalized for their public service for decades,” the organization said in a statement Saturday.

The conservative-leaning nonprofit The Club for Growth urged lawmakers to vote against the bill, citing an increase in the government deficit.

“These two provisions are intended to preserve the integrity of the Social Security system on which so many seniors depend by ensuring that individuals and their spouses who worked in jobs that did not contribute to Old Age and Survivor’s Insurance ( OASI) Trust Fund and receiving pensions from these jobs do not threaten Social Security’s solvency,” the group said.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $195.6 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years if signed by President Biden0.