Senate to Vote on Social Security Fairness Act After Decades of Debate

The proposed bill seeks to repeal provisions reducing benefits for millions of public sector retirees, but faces concerns over fiscal impact.

The Social Security Fairness Act aims to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduce benefits for nearly 3 million public sector retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to bring the bill to a floor vote next week, following its passage in the House last month with bipartisan support.
Proponents argue the bill addresses long-standing inequities in Social Security benefits for public workers, while critics warn it could cost $195 billion over a decade and accelerate Social Security trust fund insolvency by six months.
The bill requires at least 60 votes to pass the Senate, with Schumer emphasizing the need for Republican support to overcome a potential filibuster.
If the Senate fails to act before the end of the current congressional session on December 31, the bill will expire, requiring reintroduction in the next session.