On Friday, the U.S. Senate passed House Resolution (H.R.) 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, by a vote of 76 to 20.  H.R. 82 permanently repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) from federal law on Social Security. The House passed the bill by a wide margin Nov. 12, and President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. Passage of this landmark legislation is the culmination of decades of advocacy by you, the members of ATPE, along with those of dozens of other organizations representing active and retired teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public servants.   

Since 1983, the GPO and WEP have arbitrarily and unfairly reduced the Social Security benefits of millions of Americans engaged in some of the noblest of professions simply because of the government pensions they have earned through their service. Those in our society who answer a calling to teach our children, police our streets, fight our fires, or otherwise undertake public service careers are far too often underpaid and underappreciated, and they should not be penalized in retirement but rather thanked, appreciated, and assured that they will not live out their retirement in financial distress. Eliminating the GPO and WEP will result in an immediate increase in Social Security benefits for millions of these American heroes who have been subject to these penalties, including spousal and widow benefits reduced or eliminated by the GPO and earned benefits directly reduced by the WEP.    

Some in Congress opposed this legislation because of its cost to the Social Security trust fund.  ATPE rejects those criticisms and asserts that your service as a public educator, the extra hours worked, the clubs sponsored, the supplies paid for with personal funds from salaries that often do not reflect your experience and training, and the difficulty of the critical role you play in the lives of our children, warrant a Social Security benefit that recognizes those factors rather than penalizes you because of them. ATPE thanks the members of the U.S. House and Senate, including those in the Texas delegation, who supported this legislation—and all the other organizations, especially the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), that have worked tirelessly with us and with you to make this historic day possible.  

Passage of the Social Security Fairness Act underscores the importance and value of advocacy for the causes you believe in, even if it takes decades or more. We thank you and congratulate you, ATPE members—you EARNED this win, and you EARNED these benefits!