WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), praised the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) for moving forward with the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which will immediately increase Social Security benefits for more than 3 million American public servants impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Following the law’s passage on January 5, 2024, and its signing into law by President Biden, the SSA has announced that retroactive payments will begin on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, with nearly all recipients expected to receive their owed benefits by the end of March. Adjustments to ongoing monthly benefits will begin in April.
Impact on Public Servants
The repeal of WEP and GPO addresses long-standing reductions in Social Security benefits for public sector employees, including police officers, teachers, and nurses. Prior to this change, these provisions reduced or eliminated Social Security payments for individuals who also received federal, state, or local government pensions.
“Police officers, teachers, nurses, and other state and local public servants across Louisiana will finally receive the correct Social Security payments,” said Sen. Cassidy. “These folks have waited years for this day. The fight took too long, but let’s focus on the victory.”
Before the law’s passage, an estimated 94,000 Louisiana residents were unfairly penalized by the WEP and GPO provisions.
Background on the Social Security Fairness Act
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) was enacted in 1983, reducing Social Security benefits for retirees who received a pension from non-Social Security-covered government jobs. The Government Pension Offset (GPO), enacted in 1977, further reduced spousal and survivor benefits for individuals whose spouses received government pensions.
Cassidy has been a leading advocate for the repeal of WEP and GPO, cosponsoring the Social Security Fairness Act since 2009 and championing its passage through the Senate.
His efforts included:
- Demanding a Senate vote on the repeal bill.
- Delivering Senate floor speeches in July and December urging Congress to act.
- Submitting official statements in support of WEP and GPO repeal before key Senate Finance Subcommittee hearings.
- Leading a bipartisan working group focused on securing Social Security benefits for future generations.
Cassidy also pressed U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen for details on President Biden’s Social Security plan, receiving an admission that the administration did not have a concrete proposal to address looming benefit reductions.
Next Steps for Beneficiaries
Eligible retirees and public servants will automatically receive their adjusted benefits and retroactive payments from SSA. Those with questions about their benefits can visit the SSA website or contact local Social Security offices for more information.