The Social Security Fairness Act has been signed into law. Here’s What You Should Know

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!

Here’s what you should know:

The Social Security Fairness Act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset 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. 

Vital Steps:

• 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. ( https://www.ssa.gov/apply )

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.

Our district has roughly 112,267 Social Security recipients over 65, with hundreds of thousands more expecting to benefit from the program in the coming years. Social security is a precious commitment. Ohioans work hard their whole lives, pay into Social Security, and should be able to rely on its benefits when they retire. Rest assured, I will always strive to guarantee that every Ohioan retires with dignity and financial stability.