Congress narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown last week by passing a law to address Social Security cuts for some public sector workers, a law that was praised by law enforcement groups despite criticism from opponents that the bill’s cost would speed up the program. of bankruptcy.
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the Social Security Equity Act on Saturday, bipartisan legislation that would repeal two little-known rules: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The legislation effectively repeals a 1980 provision that reduced benefits for public employees receiving state pensions.
The bill has been sent to President Biden.
In the House, 327 members and 76 senators voted to support approximately 3 million retired firefighters, police officers, teachers and other public sector workers who also Receive a pension.
On this day in history, August 14, 1935, Roosevelt signed Social Security into law
Mick McHale, president of the National Association of Police Organizations. (Fox News Digital)
“For more than 40 years, men and women, particularly in public safety… have been punished by the pension systems in which they belong,” McHale said.
As a result of WEP, firefighters, police officers, postal workers, teachers, and other public pensioners received reduced Social Security benefits while working in the private sector.
The GPO ensures that spousal benefits are adjusted to reflect public pension income to prevent Social Security overpayments.
“This is a victory for the thousands of teachers, first responders and public servants in Maine who have been forced to give up the retirement benefits they deserve for their service to their communities,” said Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. ” sponsor of the measure.
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Social Security cards sit alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury. Lawmakers voted last week to provide full Social Security benefits to some public-sector retirees currently receiving lower levels. (Kevin Dickey/Getty Images)
Critics of the bill argue it will create more problems for the development of social security. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would add $196 billion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called the bill “fundamentally unfair” and said it would affect millions of people who pay into Social Security.
“This bill will force these workers, 96% of whom are in the United States, to provide overly generous benefit subsidies to the 4% of the workforce who do not participate in Social Security and instead contribute to uncovered pensions,” Lee said at the meeting. Senate floor.
McHale said that despite some criticism, Congress was overwhelmingly in favor of changing the system.
“The men and women in Congress clearly recognize that there are inequities in Social Security benefits that they deserve and deserve,” he said.
He acknowledged that many retirees sometimes continue to work in other fields and pay Social Security.
The U.S. Capitol Dome can be seen at night. (Wynn McNamee/Getty Images)
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“However, the time when we are in the law enforcement profession is the time when we are being punished as we reach our golden years and we should be enjoying the benefits of our efforts,” he said.
