Congresswoman Brown Applauds Signing of Social Security Fairness Act, Urges Ohio Seniors to Check Records to Ensure Benefits Are Delivered

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) applauds the enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82), bipartisan legislation signed by President Biden on Saturday that marks the first expansion of social security benefits in decades. The new law repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions that had unfairly reduced the Social Security benefits of many retired public employees who also worked other jobs in the private sector during their lifetime.  

According to the Congressional Research Service, 231,104 Ohioans will receive larger Social Security benefits due to this legislation.

Congresswoman Brown signed on as a cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act in January 2023, signed the discharge petition to bring the bill up for a vote in the House, and voted for the legislation in November, when it passed the House by a 327-75-1 vote. Congresswoman Brown also cosponsored the legislation during the 117^th Congress. 

The Social Security Fairness Act applies to benefits starting January 1, 2024. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that eliminating the WEP increases monthly benefits by an average of $360 and eliminating the GPO increases monthly benefits by an average of $700 for 380,000 impacted spouses and $1,190 for 390,000 surviving spouses.

“This is a big win for Ohio seniors and their families,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. “The WEP and the GPO were misguided, unjust, and unfair, reducing the benefits of former teachers, law enforcement officers, postal workers, and other public servants for decades. Thanks to our work in Congress and the support of President Biden, these unfair penalties are gone and over 200,000 Ohioans are going to receive the full Social Security checks they have earned and deserve.”

The Social Security Administration has stated that beneficiaries who have been previously subject to the WEP and the GPO should verify that their address and deposit information with Social Security are current and correct. Beneficiaries do not need to take further action at this time. For more information click here.Congresswoman Brown’s office will share further updates as they become available. 

“Now that the law has changed, I encourage Ohio seniors to check their records and make sure their mailing address and deposit information are up to date – so that when Social Security starts delivering additional benefits, they will promptly receive them,” added Congresswoman Shontel Brown. 

Enacted in 1983, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) has reduced the earned Social Security benefits of an individual who also receives a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security, for example, a teacher who did not earn Social Security from teaching in a public school system, but who also worked part-time or in other jobs during their career. Approximately 165,000 Ohioans had been subject to the WEP.  

Enacted in 1977, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) applies to the survivor and spousal benefits of people who work as federal, state, or local government employees if the job is not covered by Social Security, reducing their benefits even if their spouse paid into Social Security for their entire career. Approximately 105,000 Ohioans had been subject to the GPO. 

Nationwide, the Windfall Elimination Provision affects more than 2 million Social Security beneficiaries, while the Government Pension Offset affects more than 700,000 Social Security beneficiaries. 

The Social Security Fairness Act was endorsed by a number of organizations, including: the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, International Association of Fire Fighters, Senior Citizens League, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, National Association of County Office Employees, National Treasury Employees Union, Federal Managers Association, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Retired Americans, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, National Association of Letter Carriers, American Postal Workers Union, National Education Association, American Federation of Government Employees, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Postal Mail Handlers Union, and Society of Former Special Agents.  

Congresswoman Brown is also a cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act, which would increase Social Security benefits across the board, improve the cost of living adjustment, and provide additional expanded benefits for very low income seniors. 

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