Georgia – A bipartisan measure aiming at raising retirement benefits for Georgia’s teachers and first responders succeeded in a significant legislative triumph, therefore signifying a huge step forward in supporting the state’s essential employees. Approved late Friday night, the Social Security Fairness Act—championed by Senator Jon Ossoff—is expected to significantly change the calculation of public employees’ benefits.
After last month’s successful House of Representatives clearance, the law is now on route to the President’s desk for ultimate clearance. Two important clauses that have long been attacked for reducing the retirement benefits of public sector employees—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—are targets of this measure for repeal.
For years, these clauses have cut or totally abolished Social Security benefits for people getting government pensions from employment not covered by Social Security. From teachers to law enforcement officials and firefighters, many of them find their retirement security undermined under the current system, and this has affected an array of public personnel.
“Educators, firefighters, and law enforcement officers already make huge sacrifices for our state and aren’t in it for the money — it makes no sense to unfairly reduce their Social Security benefits,” Sen. Ossoff said.
“That’s why I worked to successfully pass the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill that would repeal these unfair policies that risk hurting teachers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers and ensure these public servants receive the Social Security benefits they’ve earned through their work.”
Teachers’ unions and law enforcement agencies among other stakeholders demonstrated great support for the measure, which addresses a problem affecting thousands of Georgia’s committed public servants.
Earlier legislative initiatives by Senator Ossoff also highlight his dedication to assist individuals serving the public. This covers the formation of suicide prevention and mental health initiatives as well as the reauthorizing of grant funds for family support services for law enforcement. Last year, he also proposed the HELPER Act in collaboration with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to help law enforcement officials, teachers, and first responders buy their first houses.
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Awaiting the President’s signature, the Social Security Fairness Act is a testament to the ongoing value put on the wellbeing of people who commit their lives to public service and a lighthouse of bipartisan cooperation. This legislative success not only guarantees to improve the financial stability of Georgia’s teachers and first responders but also shows a more general commitment to correct long-standing social security system disparities.
Click here to read the Social Security Fairness Act.
