How Biden’s Social Security Bill Boosts Monthly Payments for Retirees
On January 5, President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, into law, marking a major victory for public servants. The new law eliminates two controversial provisions that had caused public employees to lose up to two-thirds, or even all, of their Social Security benefits. The provisions, known as the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), have been in place for decades.
“This bill is about a simple idea: Americans who work hard their entire lives should be able to retire with economic security and dignity,” Biden stated. “The law that existed denied millions of Americans access to the full Social Security benefits they earned.”
With the repeal of WEP and GPO, more than 2 million retired public employees, spouses, and survivors are expected to see an average monthly increase of $360. They will also receive lump sum payments to make up for the benefits they missed last year.
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The passage of the bill followed months of advocacy by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other supporters. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 82 in November, and the Senate approved it in December with a 70-26 vote. AFGE expressed gratitude to the bill’s sponsors, including Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Garrett Graves (R-La.) in the House, and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the Senate, for their leadership in pushing for the repeal.
AFGE President Everett Kelley, who attended the signing ceremony, reflected on the long fight to pass the bill, which has deeply personal significance for him. He recalled his first legislative conference in Washington D.C., where AFGE members lobbied Congress to repeal the provisions. Kelley also honored the late Anthony J. Young, a former AFGE leader who fought tirelessly for this cause.
“This bill will affect nearly 3 million public workers who will finally receive the full Social Security benefits they earned,” said Kelley. “Thank you, President Biden.”
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is now in the process of implementing the law. Those who have already filed for Social Security benefits that were affected by WEP or GPO do not need to take any action, but should ensure that their mailing address and direct deposit information are up to date. Those who have not yet filed for Social Security benefits and are receiving a government pension can now apply online at ssa.gov/apply or schedule an appointment.
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The GPO previously reduced survivors’ benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who were also eligible for Social Security through a spouse’s earnings. The WEP affected workers who had paid into Social Security but also received a pension from an employer who did not withhold Social Security taxes, such as federal retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), as well as state and local government workers like teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.
The repeal of these provisions is seen as a historic win for public servants who have worked for decades and now stand to receive the full benefits they are entitled to.
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