In a significant move, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that could increase Social Security benefits for thousands of people who worked in public service in Connecticut and other states. The bipartisan bill, known as the “Social Security Fairness Act,” aims to eliminate two provisions that reduce Social Security payments for those who also receive government pensions, such as teachers, police officers, and firefighters. With Congress facing a tight schedule before the end of the year, advocates are now focusing on getting the Senate to vote on the bill.
What the Social Security Fairness Act Proposes
The “Social Security Fairness Act,” introduced by Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., seeks to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions currently reduce Social Security payments for individuals who also receive pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security.
- Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP): This provision affects people who have worked in both Social Security-covered jobs and non-covered jobs (such as certain public service roles). If these individuals paid Social Security taxes for fewer than 30 years, WEP can reduce their Social Security benefits. This affects more than 22,000 people in Connecticut alone, mostly retired workers.
- Government Pension Offset (GPO): This provision impacts those receiving government pensions by cutting Social Security spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds if they also receive a pension from local, state, or federal jobs. For some, this reduction is so severe that it eliminates their spousal benefits completely.
The bill’s supporters argue that repealing these provisions would ensure fairer treatment of public servants who have worked hard in non-Social Security-covered jobs.
Impact on Connecticut’s Public Workers
In Connecticut, which is one of 15 states where WEP and GPO apply to teachers, these provisions have a major impact on retirees. The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) argues that WEP unfairly reduces Social Security benefits for teachers who worked second jobs where they paid Social Security taxes. Under WEP, some retirees see as much as half of their benefits reduced.
The GPO provision affects surviving spouses and families, as it reduces Social Security benefits by two-thirds for those who have pensions from non-covered work. For teachers with pensions, the GPO cuts can eliminate their spousal benefits, leaving some with little or no Social Security income. Supporters of the Social Security Fairness Act argue that removing these provisions would restore benefits to retired public servants and create a more equitable system.
House Vote and Mixed Opinions Among Connecticut Lawmakers
The House overwhelmingly supported the Social Security Fairness Act with a 327-75 vote. Four out of five Connecticut Democrats voted in favor, though Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, voted against it. Larson explained that while he supports repealing WEP and GPO, he opposed the bill because it does not include a provision to fund the repeal. Larson has his own “Social Security 2100 Act,” which aims to remove WEP and GPO while also increasing Social Security benefits across the board by 2%. His proposal would pay for these changes by raising the income cap on taxable earnings for Social Security.
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The Congressional Budget Office estimates that repealing WEP and GPO would cost about $196 billion over the next decade. Larson and others argue that eliminating these provisions without an offset could strain Social Security funds and ultimately impact millions of Americans who rely on the program for their primary source of income.
Lobbying Efforts Shift to the Senate
With only a few weeks left in the current session, advocates are now turning their attention to the Senate. Retired public school teacher Mary Moninger-Elia, along with other supporters, went to Washington, D.C., to lobby Senate offices and urge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring the bill to a vote. Connecticut’s U.S. Senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, have already signed on as co-sponsors of the Senate version of the Social Security Fairness Act.
The bill has bipartisan support in the Senate, and with enough co-sponsors, it could pass with the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. However, the crowded legislative agenda in the lame-duck session, which includes government funding, the defense policy bill, and judicial appointments, could make it difficult to secure a vote before the end of the year.
Larson’s Push for Comprehensive Social Security Reform
Rep. John Larson has been a long-time advocate for broad Social Security reform, arguing that the program has not been updated in over 50 years. His “Social Security 2100 Act” includes provisions to eliminate WEP and GPO, increase benefits for all Social Security recipients, and strengthen the program’s solvency. Larson’s proposal would raise the income cap on taxable earnings, ensuring high earners contribute more to the Social Security fund.
Larson believes that passing a bill without funding could risk Social Security’s long-term stability, particularly since the Trust Fund for old-age and survivors insurance is projected to be fully funded only until 2033. After that, Social Security benefits could face a 20% cut if Congress doesn’t take action to strengthen the program’s finances. For Larson, comprehensive reform is essential to protect vulnerable retirees, especially the five million Americans who live on Social Security checks below the poverty line.
Divisions Over Repealing WEP and GPO Without Funding
Supporters of the Social Security Fairness Act argue that WEP and GPO unfairly penalize public workers, but some lawmakers are concerned about the financial impact of repealing these provisions. An alternative proposal, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act, was also brought to a vote but failed to pass the House. The entire Connecticut delegation voted against it. Opponents of the Social Security Fairness Act have suggested adjusting the formula for calculating benefits as a middle ground, rather than full repeal.
Those affected by WEP and GPO reductions argue that the current system creates financial hardship for retired public workers, who often have no other source of Social Security income. Organizations such as the Connecticut Education Association, the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, and the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans have been active in advocating for a repeal of WEP and GPO. They emphasize that teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other government employees have dedicated their careers to public service and deserve fair retirement benefits.
What’s Next for the Social Security Fairness Act?
With strong support from public sector unions, retired workers, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the Social Security Fairness Act has made significant progress in the House. However, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it will compete with other major legislative priorities in the limited time remaining in this session. Supporters are focused on urging Senator Schumer to prioritize the bill for a vote before the end of the year.
As Congress approaches the start of its next session in January, advocates continue to stress the importance of repealing WEP and GPO for millions of retirees. The outcome of the Social Security Fairness Act will have lasting implications for public workers, Social Security beneficiaries, and the future of the Social Security program as a whole.
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