SC Alaska News

The U.S. Senate has passed the Social Security Fairness Act, also known as H.R. 82, in a bipartisan vote of 76-20. The legislation aims to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which have affected Social Security benefits for certain federal, state, and local employees, as well as their spouses and survivors. This bill will now proceed to the President for approval.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has been a long-time advocate for this legislation since joining the Senate in 2003. She expressed her satisfaction with its passage: “I have been working on the Social Security Fairness Act for as long as I’ve been representing Alaska in the United States Senate,” she said. “There is no doubt that Congress has taken too long to address this inequity, but I am grateful to the diligent bipartisan work of my colleagues to help us finally get this over the finish line."

Joelle Hall, President of Alaska AFL-CIO, shared her thoughts on the passage: "The Alaska AFL-CIO and all of its affiliated unions are elated with the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act." Heidi Drygas from ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 also commented positively: “Today’s vote is incredibly welcome news to thousands of Alaska’s current and former public employees who have been unfairly punished simply for their public service.”

Shaun Kuzakin from Public Safety Employees Association emphasized support for law enforcement personnel: “Alaska’s law enforcement personnel have worked too hard...to not receive their fully deserved Social Security benefits.” Dominic Lozano from Alaska Professional Fire Fighters echoed similar sentiments about firefighters’ benefits.

Kathy Simpler from National Education Association-Alaska noted that "Passage of H.R. 82 is historic and will immediately make a positive difference in the lives of thousands." Paul McIntosh from National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association highlighted how more than 17,000 former public servants in Alaska are affected by WEP and GPO.

The WEP was enacted in 1983 while GPO was introduced in 1977; both provisions have impacted nearly three million Americans by reducing their Social Security benefits based on pensions received from government employment not covered by Social Security.