Congresswoman Beatty Celebrates Historic Win for Over 230,000 Ohio Seniors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this month, President Joe Biden signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act, which will substantially increase Social Security benefits for millions of former teachers, law enforcement officers, postal workers, and other public employees. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) consistently signed on as a cosponsor of this legislation, signed the discharge petition to bring the bill up for a vote in the House last year, and voted for the legislation in November, when it passed the House by a 327-75 vote. The law eliminates two long-standing provisions reducing benefits of former public employees —the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Third Congressional District is home to approximately 84,513 Social Security beneficiaries over the age of 65, many of whom will benefit from these changes. 230,000 seniors statewide are expected to benefit from the restoration of the full Social Security benefits they have earned, according to the Congressional Research Service.
“For too long, hardworking public servants were penalized by an unfair system that reduced the benefits they paid into and rightfully deserved,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “With the Social Security Fairness Act now law, these unjust provisions are eliminated, ensuring fairness and greater financial security for our seniors and retirees. This is a victory for Ohioans and public employees across the nation. I will keep fighting to protect and deliver these critical earned benefits for future generations.”
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will implement the changes, including payment of retroactive benefits through January 2024. According to the Congressional Budget Office, beneficiaries affected by WEP will see an average monthly increase of $360. Meanwhile, eliminating the GPO is expected to boost monthly benefits by an average of $700 for spouses and $1,190 for surviving spouses (in December 2025).
Although beneficiaries do not need to take any immediate action, the SSA encourages individuals to keep their contact and direct deposit information up to date to ensure a smooth transition.
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