Did the Senate pass the Social Security Fairness Act?

Asked by: Holden Daniel IV  |  Last update: September 12, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (31 votes)

January 5, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. In November, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) joined 326 members to advance the measure to the Senate. On December 20, 2024, the Senate voted to pass the bill 76-20.

Has the Social Security Fairness Act passed in the Senate?

On December 21, 2024, the Senate passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, without amendment, by Yea-Nay vote, 76-20.

Did Congress pass the Social Security Act?

The bill was reported out by the Senate Finance Committee on May 13, 1935 and introduced in the Senate on June 12th. The debate lasted until June 19th, when the Social Security Act was passed by a vote of 77 yeas, 6 nays, and 12 not voting.

Is the WEP repeal retroactive?

With a repeal, PSRS members who receive reduced Social Security benefits due to WEP or GPO would receive increased Social Security benefits retroactively, starting with January 2024 payments.

What is the maximum WEP reduction for 2024 Social Security?

Retirement Examples

The monthly retirement benefits are reduced or increased based on your age after WEP reduces your ELY benefit. If you turn 62 in 2024 (ELY 2024) and you have 20 years of substantial earnings, WEP reduces your monthly benefit by $587. (Refer to the chart below.)

BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes The Social Security Fairness Act

24 related questions found

What president passed the Windfall Elimination Provision?

These WEP provisions were included in the legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan on April 21, 1983.

How much will my Social Security be reduced if I have a CSRS pension?

How much will my Social Security benefits be reduced? We'll reduce your Social Security benefits by two- thirds of your government pension. For example, if you get a monthly civil service pension of $3,000, two-thirds of that, or $2,000, must be deducted from your Social Security benefits.

Did the Windfall Act pass?

What is the Social Security Fairness Act and who does it help? The Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. The Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Can I avoid the Windfall Elimination Provision?

For Retirement and Disability benefits

This reduction is called the “Windfall Elimination Provision” (WEP). It most commonly affects government work or work in other countries. You won't have this reduction if you paid Social Security taxes for 30 years on enough work outside your pension-earning job(s).

Does WEP apply at full retirement age?

WEP can apply if after 1985 you: • Reached age 62 • Became disabled • First became eligible for a monthly pension based on work where you didn't pay Social Security taxes WEP only applies to retirement and disability benefits.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

What was the Supreme Court ruling on the Social Security Act?

On May 24, 1937, the Supreme Court decided in two separate but related cases that the Social Security Act of 1935 was constitutional.

Who was president when the Social Security Act was passed?

Roosevelt signed the Social Security Bill into law on August 14, 1935, only 14 months after sending a special message to Congress on June 8, 1934, that promised a plan for social insurance as a safeguard "against the hazards and vicissitudes of life." The 32-page Act was the culmination of work begun by the Committee ...

What is the Senate bill to eliminate WEP?

On December 20, 2024, the Senate voted to pass the bill 76-20. This bipartisan legislation would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Together, these provisions negatively impact or eliminate Social Security benefits for millions of retired public servants.

What date did Congress pass the Social Security Act?

The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.

How will the Social Security Fairness Act affect me?

The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates the reduction of Social Security benefits based on your work record or the work record of your spouse or former spouse while entitled to a public pension from work not covered by Social Security, i.e. the Civil Service Retirement System.

How much will WEP reduce my SS?

The windfall elimination provision reduces the first of those percentages. How much the SSA reduces it depends on how many years you paid Social Security taxes. The most it can fall is from 90% to as low as 40% if you spent fewer than 20 years in jobs on which you paid Social Security taxes.

Can you collect both a pension and Social Security?

For most retirees, receiving a pension won't affect the amount of your Social Security payouts. You can enjoy both. However, if your pension comes from a certain type of job, your benefits could be impacted.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.

How much will my Social Security be reduced if I have a pension?

Windfall elimination provision

The WEP may apply if you receive both a pension and Social Security benefits. In that case, the WEP can reduce your Social Security payments by up to 50% of your pension amount. This reduction is known as the WEP PIA.

Who is exempt from Windfall Elimination Provision?

If you worked 30 or more years in another job with substantial earnings, which withheld Social Security, you're exempt from WEP. Substantial earnings are defined as $31,275 or more for 2024 (up from $29,700 for 2023). This exemption generally applies to retirees who started a second career after their first retirement.

Which states are affected by the Windfall Act?

The states with the highest concentrations of those affected by the WEP are Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Ohio. The breakdown is as follows: 7%-11.8% of beneficiaries affected: Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio. 3%-5.6% of beneficiaries: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, ...

What year did CSRS end?

The Civil Service Retirement Act, which became effective on August 1, 1920, established a retirement system for certain federal employees. It was replaced by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for federal employees who first entered covered service on and after January 1, 1987.

Can you collect CSRS and Social Security at the same time?

Unlike most employer-sponsored pensions in the private sector, CSRS annuities were not intended to supplement Social Security benefits. Yet, most Federal workers who earn a CSRS annuity also receive Social Security benefits at some time.

What type of pensions reduce Social Security benefits?

The Government Pension Offset, or GPO, affects spouses, widows, and widowers with pensions from a federal, state, or local government job. It reduces their Social Security benefits in some cases.