Rep. Angie Craig Continues Bipartisan Push to Strengthen Social Security
WASHINGTON, DC – As part of her work to strengthen Social Security, U.S. Representative Angie Craig is pushing to pass the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act.
The bill would repeal two decades-long provisions of the Social Security Act that unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for millions of Americans – including police officers, firefighters, federal employees and educators.
More than two million Americans and 16,000 Minnesotans currently face reduced Social Security benefits because of these provisions. The Social Security Fairness Act would ensure they receive their full benefits.
“Teachers, police officers, firefighters, emergency responders and public servants keep our communities running. They should receive every penny in Social Security payments they’re entitled to,” said Rep. Craig. “It’s critical we pass the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to ensure that all our public servants and their spouses receive the retirement security they deserve.”
The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) of the 1935 Social Security Act.
The WEP lowers the monthly benefits of millions of retirees who paid into Social Security, but also earned a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. The GPO reduces or eliminates the spousal benefits of those who have earned a government pension, even if their spouse paid into Social Security for their entire careers.
The bipartisan bill is currently cosponsored by 158 members of the House and has received strong support from labor and law enforcement groups including: the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Education Association, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the National Association of Letter Carriers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the American Federation of Teachers.
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