Social Security Fairness Act signed into law

On January 5, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law, repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that impacts the retirement benefits of certain public sector employees. Eliminating the WEP gives public employees access to their full social security benefits, putting an end to a reduction of benefits for 2.1 million county and state employees

By: Paige Mellerio, legislative director, finance, pensions & intergovernmental affairs and Emma Conover, legislative assistant
National Association of Counties

On January 5, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law, repealing the the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that impacts the retirement benefits of certain public sector employees. Eliminating the WEP gives public employees access to their full social security benefits, putting an end to a reduction of benefits for 2.1 million county and state employees.

What to know about the Windfall Elimination Provision

• The WEP is a formula used to calculate Social Security benefits for individuals who have worked both public and private sector jobs, leaving them with both social security benefits and non-covered pensions at retirement.
• The WEP was created to minimize “double-dipping” between private pensions and Social Security but ultimately penalizes those who have served in both sectors and reduces their benefits.
• This penalty is particularly salient given county workforce shortages, potentially deterring talent from serving in the public sector.

Read more here.