Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) said the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) he introduced in the House of Representatives has been co-sponsored by 229 members and represents a House majority.
The legislation would remove the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), a pair of Social Security Act titles reducing or eliminating Social Security benefits for millions of Americans.
Authorities indicated the WEP reduces the earned Social Security benefits of an individual receiving a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security while the GPO impacts spousal benefits of those who work as federal, state or local government employees if the job is not covered by Social Security.
“It’s great to see a majority of my colleagues in the House co-sponsor our bipartisan bill,” Davis said. “The Social Security Fairness Act ensures that public servants like police officers who work a second job or change careers after years of service will not face a possible 40 percent reduction in their Social Security benefits.”
Davis maintains repealing the provisions provides certainty for retirees while aiding the process of recruiting future public servants.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) National President Ken Thomas said WEP and GPO have reduced the earned Social Security benefits of retired public servants for too long.
“It is past time to repeal these provisions,” he said. “With bipartisan, majority support for H.R. 82 secured in the House, we urge swift consideration and passage of this bill.”