Press Releases

Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced the House of Representatives has approved the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82). The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Kennedy, fixes loopholes that unjustifiably reduce benefits for millions of Social Security recipients. 

Congressman Kennedy speaking in support of H.R. 82 on the House floor. View here.

“Dedicated public servants—teachers, firefighters, postal workers, and police officers—and their spouses or widows are unfairly seeing their Social Security benefits cut,” said Congressman Kennedy. “All Americans deserve to receive the Social Security they worked hard their whole lives to earn. This bill delivers on that promise.” 

The bill repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), existing provisions of the Social Security Act that slash social security for millions of public sector workers.  

The Government Pension Offset reduces Social Security benefits by an amount equal to two-thirds of monthly government pension income. For example, if pension income is $1,200/month, Social Security benefits are cut by $800/month. The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces benefits for workers with less than 30 years of employment covered by Social Security if they also receive pensions based on noncovered employment.

The bill was moved to the floor by a bipartisan majority of House members, including Rep. Kennedy, who signed a discharge petition forcing a vote. The measure was approved in the House by a vote of 327-75 and will move to the Senate for consideration.  

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