President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, benefiting nearly 3 million public employees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. The law eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which previously reduced Social Security benefits for those receiving public pensions.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates average monthly increases of $360 for WEP-affected individuals and $700-$1,190 for GPO-impacted recipients, with backdated payments starting January 2024.
Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, called it the correction of a “40-year wrong,” particularly aiding low-paid public servants and surviving spouses. While celebrated, the measure adds strain to Social Security Trust Funds facing insolvency challenges.
