President Joe Biden signed into law H.R. 82 The Social Security Fairness Act on Sunday, legislation that repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who has co-sponsored the legislation every year since 2003, praised the long over-due passage of the law.
“I have been working on the Social Security Fairness Act for as long as I’ve been representing Alaska in the United States Senate,” Senator Murkowski said. “This legislation takes care of Alaskans who have dedicated years of service to our communities, serving in integral roles such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers. Hardworking public servants should not be denied the benefits that they paid for because of their career choices, and I’m relieved that this longstanding injustice has been remedied.”
The WEP, enacted in 1983, reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government for employment not covered by Social Security. The GPO, enacted in 1977, reduces Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers whose spouses receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is still evaluating how implementation will work. For Alaskans whose Social Security benefits are already being reduced by WEP or GPO, additional action is not required at this time except to verify that the SSA has your current mailing address and direct deposit information.
Together, these provisions reduce Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million Americans – including those who worked as teachers, state employees, and public safety officers. Alaska is one of the most disproportionately and negatively affected states per capita by the WEP and GPO.
If you are receiving a public pension and are now interested in filing for Social Security benefits, you may file online at https://www.ssa.gov/apply.