Davids Votes to Strengthen Social Security for Public Servants

Last night, Representative Sharice Davids voted for the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act. The legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), two outdated rules that have unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for millions of public sector retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers. The bill passed with support from 191 Democrats and 136 Republicans.

“Kansas teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and public servants have dedicated their lives to serving our communities, and they deserve to retire with the full benefits they’ve earned and paid into,” said Davids. “This legislation would end unfair reductions and build on my ongoing efforts to protect and strengthen Social Security for all Kansans.”

The WEP and GPO provisions were originally enacted to prevent so-called “double-dipping” in retirement benefits, but the rules have had unintended and unfair consequences, reducing Social Security checks for public servants who receive a separate pension. The WEP currently impacts approximately two million Social Security beneficiaries, and the GPO impacts nearly 800,000 retirees.

• The WEP reduces the Social Security benefits of individuals who receive a public pension from jobs not covered by Social Security. For example, educators who don’t earn Social Security in public schools but work part-time or summer jobs covered by Social Security see their benefits reduced, even though they contribute to the system.
• The GPO affects spousal benefits for government employees, including police officers, firefighters, and educators, whose jobs aren’t covered by Social Security. Under the GPO, surviving spouses who also receive a government pension have their spousal benefit reduced by two-thirds.

Despite ongoing threats to Social Security, Davids is working with both parties to protect and strengthen the program for Kansans. She fought to keep the government open, knowing a shutdown would delay Social Security and Medicare payments for more than 610,000 Kansans. Her office has also recovered more than $20 million for constituents, including backlogged Social Security payments. Recently, a Leawood resident wrote an essay in the Kansas City Star praising Davids for her strong defense of Social Security.

The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act is supported by the National Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of Police Organizations, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, National Association of Letter Carriers, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, National Treasury Employees Union, Senior Citizens League, American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and American Federation of School Administrators.