The law passed last week as Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown to address cuts Social security Law enforcement groups have praised some public sector workers, despite criticism from opponents who say the cost will hasten the program's bankruptcy.
The Senate on Saturday overwhelmingly approved the Social Security Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to repeal two poorly understood rules: the windfall elimination requirement (WEP) and the government pension offset (GPO). This legislation effectively repeals 1980 rules that reduced benefits for public employees who receive state pensions.
The bill has been sent to President Biden.
In the House of Representatives, 327 members and 76 senators voted to stand with about 3 million retired firefighters, police officers, teachers and other public sector workers who also receive pensions, Mick McHale, president of the National Association of Police Organizations, told the network. Fox. Digital news.
On this day in history, August 14, 1935, the Social Security Act was signed by Franklin Roosevelt
Mick McHale, Chairman of the National Association of Police Organisations. (Fox News Digital)
“For more than 40 years, men and women, especially in public safety, have been penalized as a result of the retirement system they belong to,” McHale said.
Firefighters, police officers, postal workers, teachers and other public pensioners have collected lower Social Security benefits for jobs they held in the private sector because of the WEP program, which was designed to prevent so-called double-dipping from government pensions and Social Security.
The GPO ensures that a spouse's benefits are adjusted to reflect income from public pensions in an effort to prevent Social Security overpayments.
“This is a victory for thousands of Maine teachers, first responders and public employees who, in serving their communities, have had to give up earned retirement benefits,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Sponsor this action.
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Your Social Security card is located next to checks from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Lawmakers voted last week to give full Social Security benefits to some public sector retirees who currently receive them at a reduced level. (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images)
Critics of the bill argued that it would cause more problems moving forward with Social Security. The legislation would add $196 billion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years, according to the House of Representatives Congressional Budget Office.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called the bill “fundamentally unfair,” saying it would affect millions who paid into Social Security.
“The bill would force these workers, 96% of whom are in America, to support very generous benefits for the 4% of the workforce, those who do not participate in Social Security and instead contribute to uncovered pensions,” Lee said. Senate floor.
Despite some criticism… Congress favored it overwhelmingly Regime change, McHale said.
“The men and women in Congress clearly recognized the injustice that was done when it came to Social Security benefits, which were well-deserved and well-earned,” he said.
He acknowledged that many retirees sometimes continue to work in other fields that pay for Social Security.
The US Capitol Dome can be seen at night. (Wayne McNamee/Getty Images)
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“However, that period of time we were in Law enforcement officers“The profession is where the punishment is meted out when we reach the golden years and we must enjoy the benefits of our efforts,” he said.
