Social Security Fairness Act Q&A

National Fraternal Order of Police

Historic FOP Victory: The Repeal of WEP and GPO

For over four decades, public servants across

America have endured an inequity that denied them and their

families the Social Security benefits they rightfully earned.

I am proud to announce that the passage of the Social

Security Fairness Act marks the end of this injustice. The Windfall

Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset

(GPO) have been repealed, representing a monumental step

forward in fairness and equality for public employees.

The Fraternal Order of Police has been at the forefront of this fight from

the very beginning. This victory is not just a legislative achievement; it is a

testament to the power of perseverance and unity. The FOP’s role in this

monumental effort cannot be overstated. At every level of our organization,

from the national, state and local lodge’s leadership and individual members,

we worked tirelessly to create and sustain the undeniable momentum that

forced Congress to confront this injustice. This victory is a direct result of the

strength, resilience, and commitment of FOP members across America who

never wavered in their pursuit of fairness.

The journey to this historic moment has been long and arduous.

Since the WEP and GPO were enacted in the 1980s, they have unfairly

penalized public employees who also worked jobs covered by Social Security.

These provisions reduced benefits by up to 60% for those with mixed

employment histories and deprived surviving spouses of their rightful benefits.

What was intended to address "windfalls" instead created severe financial

hardships for those who devoted their careers to serving their communities.

This landmark legislation will have a transformative impact on the lives of more

than 4 million Americans and their families. By eliminating these provisions, we

are ensuring that retired public servants, including countless law enforcement

officers, receive the full Social Security benefits they earned through years

of dedicated service. For many, this will mean a significantly improved

quality of life, financial security, and peace of mind in their retirement years.

This victory would not have been possible without the collaboration

and support of key individuals and organizations. We extend our deepest

gratitude to Representatives Graves and Spanberger, who championed

this cause in the House, and to Senator Sherrod Brown, whose unwavering

determination drove the bill forward in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader

Chuck Schumer’s strategic guidance and commitment to fulfilling his

promise played an invaluable role in securing this legislative triumph.

We also thank Senators Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy, whose

bipartisan leadership helped build the broad support needed to pass the

Social Security Fairness Act. Additionally, Senator Amy Klobuchar’s

steadfast advocacy was instrumental in achieving this milestone. We are

also grateful to Senator Kyrsten Sinema who was the bill’s quarterback on

the Senate floor and executed our successful strategy.

Our partners in the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), led

by General President Ed Kelly, stood shoulder to shoulder with us throughout

this fight, demonstrating the strength of our alliance on critical issues

affecting our members. The International Association of Chiefs of Police also

provided crucial support, working closely with us to advance this legislation.

Finally, we recognize the pivotal role played by President Biden, who

committed to signing this bill into law, and President-elect Trump, whose

timely intervention provided crucial momentum at a key juncture. Their

leadership underscores the bipartisan commitment to correcting this

longstanding injustice.

Patrick Yoes

National President

Fraternal Order of Police

National Fraternal Order of Police