In a monumental step toward retirement equity, Congress has passed the Social Security Fairness Act, legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions have unjustly reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for millions of public employees, including school leaders and educators, undermining their financial security in retirement.

AFSA, alongside its public employee union allies and the AFL-CIO, has been at the forefront of the fight to overturn these unfair policies. The victory comes after years of tireless advocacy and, most recently, a surge of calls and letters from AFSA members urging their Senators to act.

“This is a historic moment for school leaders, educators, and all public employees who have been unfairly penalized for decades,” said  AFSA President Dr. Leonard P. Pugliese. “The repeal of WEP and GPO is a testament to the power of collective action and our commitment to ensuring fairness and dignity in retirement.”

The legislation will:

• Restore Social Security benefits earned by school leaders and public employees, regardless of their participation in public pensions.
• Enhance financial security for retirees, ensuring a fair and stable retirement.
• Correct disparities that have disproportionately impacted women, minorities, and those with mixed private and public work histories.

AFSA extends its gratitude to Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Garret Graves (R-LA), who championed this issue in Congress, building the bipartisan support needed to pass the legislation.

While the passage of this bill marks a significant victory, it now awaits President Biden’s signature. AFSA is calling on the President to act swiftly to fulfill his promise to support educators and public employees by signing the bill into law.

“We urge President Biden to take this final step and deliver on his commitment to fairness for public employees,” Pugliese said. “This legislation corrects a longstanding injustice and ensures the contributions of school leaders and educators are properly recognized.”

This achievement highlights the strength of collective advocacy by AFSA members and the broader labor movement. Through lobbying, letter-writing campaigns, and direct engagement with lawmakers, the voices of public employees were heard loud and clear in Congress.

AFSA encourages its members and allies to continue advocating for swift action by the President and to celebrate this incredible milestone for fairness, justice, and respect for public employees everywhere.