Social Security Fairness Act Signed Into Law

• By: CASC
• On: 01/08/2025 18:44:43
• In: CASC Blogs

The Social Security Fairness Act, a historic piece of legislation, has officially been signed into law by President Biden. This landmark achievement repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions that had long unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for millions of retired public servants, including school counselors, educators, firefighters, and police officers. The bipartisan legislation, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in December, promises a significant boost to retirement security for over 2.5 million Americans. The changes are expected to result in an average monthly increase of $360 in benefits, along with retroactive payments to address shortfalls from 2024.

Impact on California School Counselors

The repeal of WEP and GPO is particularly impactful for California's K-12 educators, and those working within the public university system. By removing these provisions, the Social Security Fairness Act ensures equitable treatment for those who dedicated their careers to public service. This impacts those who worked in the private sector where Social Security Taxes were paid, along with working in the public sector (i.e. eligible for Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) or California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS)).

Dr. Loretta Whitson, Executive Director of the California Association of School Counselors (CASC), expressed the organization's commitment to championing equitable policies for educators. "This law restores fairness and ensures dignity for our retired colleagues," she stated. "In the coming weeks, I will share progress made in 2024 and why 2025 is shaping up to be a promising year for the school counseling profession."

CASC's Advocacy Efforts

CASC played an instrumental role in advocating for the repeal of WEP and GPO. Special thanks go to Patty Taylor, CASC Assistant Executive Director, for her persevering efforts over the year in Washington, D.C., lobbying Congress and the Senate on behalf of California school employees. Patty and others have worked tirelessly on this effort for the past 20 plus years.

Moving forward, the implementation of these changes will be managed by the Social Security Administration. CASC will continue to provide updates to its members as progress unfolds. This legislative victory represents a crucial step toward equity and financial stability for retired public servants. It underscores the importance of collective advocacy and its power to bring about meaningful change.

Stay Informed: For more information about the Social Security Fairness Act and its implications for retired school counselors, visit the full article here: Social Security Fairness Act signed into law by Biden, enhancing retirement benefits for millions - CBS News