Social Security Fairness Act News: Get more Updates

On January 4, 2025, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. This law is a significant victory for Ohio seniors since it marks the first expansion of Social Security benefits in decades, repealing two damaging clauses that had unfairly lowered payments for millions of former public employees. This was legislation that I cosponsored, helped bring to the House floor, and voted on in November. It is now the law of the nation!

Factors to know:

The Social Security Fairness Act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) from the Social Security Act.

The WEP and GPO were erroneous, unjust, and unfair, decreasing the benefits of former teachers, police enforcement officials, postal workers, and other public servants who went on to work for different businesses. Since assuming office in 2021, I’ve heard from several residents who are profoundly dissatisfied with this unjust policy. That is why I gladly supported the Social Security Fairness Act: hardworking public servants deserve the benefits they have earned.

According to the Congressional Research Service, this move would directly affect around 230,000 Ohioans by removing the WEP and GPO decreases that had eroded their benefits. 

• This law most certainly applies if you are affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.
• The statute applies to Social Security benefits beginning in 2024 and continuing.
• According to the Congressional Budget Office, recipients will get an average monthly increase of $360.
• The Social Security Administration is presently preparing the mechanism for implementing retroactive 2024 benefits. No action is required on your part; however, please check that your postal address and direct deposit information with the SSA are current.
• If you have not previously filed for Social Security payments and feel you may now be eligible, you can do so here. 

The Social Security Fairness Act is a positive step forward, but more must be done to assist all Northeast Ohio seniors. I am happy to support the Social Security 2100 Act, which will enhance Social Security payments and offer additional benefits to low-income seniors and older people. You may discover more information about this bill here. In our area, there are roughly 112,267 Social Security recipients over 65, with hundreds of thousands more expecting to benefit from the program in the future. Social security is a precious commitment. Ohioans work hard throughout their lives, contribute to Social Security, and should be able to rely on its benefits when they retire.