A bill that could increase Social Security benefits for thousands of public service workers and retirees in Connecticut has moved closer to becoming law after passing an important vote in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. The “Social Security Fairness Act” aims to remove two provisions, the Windfall Elimination Provision WEP and the Government Pension Offset GPO, which reduce benefits for some public service workers who also receive pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. These provisions affect workers like teachers, police officers, and firefighters who have worked in jobs where they didn’t pay into Social Security.
The bill gained momentum after passing the House last month with strong support. Advocates, including labor unions, have been pushing to get it passed in the Senate before the current Congress ends. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate would vote on it before Friday. Supporters argue that the WEP and GPO unfairly reduce benefits for workers who contributed to Social Security through other jobs.
While the bill has strong backing, critics are concerned about the cost of repealing these provisions without a plan to cover the expenses. They worry it could speed up the time when Social Security runs out of funds, which is already expected to happen in about a decade.
The bill would eliminate the WEP, which reduces Social Security benefits for those who worked in jobs not covered by Social Security and have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings. It would also remove the GPO, which cuts Social Security spousal benefits for those who receive pensions from government jobs. In Connecticut alone, over 22,000 people are affected by these provisions.
The bill has broad support from both parties in Congress, including Connecticut’s senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Labor unions like the Connecticut Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have been advocating for this change for years. They argue that the provisions discourage people from joining public service jobs, especially teachers, and create an unfair financial burden, particularly for women who may have worked in other jobs before entering public service.
Supporters of the bill believe repealing the WEP and GPO will help attract and retain public service workers in Connecticut and other states. However, some lawmakers, like U.S. Rep. John Larson, want a more comprehensive solution for Social Security reform, which would also address funding issues.
Despite opposition, the bill passed an important procedural vote in the Senate, moving it closer to becoming law. If it passes another vote soon, it could be signed by President Biden before Congress breaks for the holiday season. However, there are concerns about the long-term financial health of Social Security, and some lawmakers are calling for more careful consideration of these changes.