A Bipartisan Effort to Restore Full Benefits
The House is expected to vote on the Social Security Fairness Act this week, despite a recent attempt by the Freedom Caucus to derail the effort. This bipartisan bill aims to ensure full Social Security benefits for workers who also receive other pensions.
What is the Social Security Fairness Act?
Government pensions offset (GPO): This provision reduces spousal or widow(er) benefits for those who receive noncovered pensions.
This provision reduces benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes.
These provisions disproportionately affect public sector workers, such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers, who often receive pensions from their employers.
Bipartisan Support and Procedural Hurdles
The Social Security Fairness Act has garnered significant bipartisan support, with over 300 House members, including Speaker Mike Johnson, signing on as co-sponsors. However, the bill faced a procedural setback when two members of the Freedom Caucus used a rarely invoked maneuver to table part of the measure.
Moving Forward with a Supermajority
Despite this setback, the legislation is expected to move forward with a House vote this week. However, passage will now require a supermajority threshold, making it more challenging. If the bill passes the House, it will then need to clear the Senate and be signed into law by President Biden.
Effective Date and Impact
If enacted, the changes made by the Social Security Fairness Act would be effective for benefits payable after December 2023. This would restore full Social Security benefits to those who are currently affected by the GPO and WEP provisions.