Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is leading a group of 27 senators in urging the swift implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which aims to restore full Social Security benefits to public servants affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The act was signed into law on January 5, 2024, after Cassidy secured a vote in the Senate.

"The Social Security Fairness Act restores full Social Security benefits for the millions of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who are unfairly penalized by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)," wrote the senators.

The senators also highlighted that "the Social Security Administration’s website currently states, 'SSA expects that it could take more than one year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits' owed under the Social Security Fairness Act." They called for immediate action to provide relief to those impacted by WEP and GPO.

Cassidy's colleagues supporting this initiative include U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski, Jerry Moran, Shelley Moore Capito, Deb Fischer, Susan Collins, Pete Ricketts, John Fetterman, Ben Ray Lujan, Sheldon Whitehouse, Alex Padilla, John Hickenlooper, Angus King, Jon Ossoff, Jack Reed, Dick Durbin Jeff Merkley Jacky Rosen Kirsten Gillibrand Tim Kaine Cory Booker Mark Warner Peter Welch Amy Klobuchar Richard Blumenthal Tammy Baldwin Martin Heinrich

In their letter addressed to Acting Commissioner King of the Social Security Administration (SSA), they requested monthly updates on progress toward implementing the act. They emphasized its importance in providing relief to millions affected by these provisions.

Cassidy has been an advocate for repealing WEP and GPO as part of his efforts to strengthen America's retirement system. He has been a cosponsor of this legislation since becoming a member of Congress in 2009. Last March he questioned U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about President Biden’s plan for addressing Social Security issues.