Washington (December 21, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey, Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, legislation which would restore full Social Security benefits for nearly three million retired public servants.

“Last night, Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act. Once signed by the president, we will finally repeal the Draconian laws that robbed an entire generation of teachers, firefighters, postal workers, and public servants of all stripes of the benefits they earned. By passing the Social Security Fairness Act, we will right this historic wrong; restore Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including 130,000 in Massachusetts, and finally deliver for the workers who have delivered for their communities. 

“To the nearly 3 million public servants and their families who will finally receive the retirement benefits they deserve: thank you for your service to your communities and your unwavering advocacy. I will always fight for public servants and retirees.”

The Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset reduce the Social Security benefits of public servants and their surviving family members who receive a public pension. Those impacted paid into Social Security but are unable to receive the full benefits they earned. The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which currently impact nearly 3 million public servants. Following passage in the House, the bill passed the Senate with a vote of 76-20.

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