LaLota Votes to Protect Social Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) voted to protect Social Security benefits for millions of Americans by helping pass H.R. 82, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which he also cosponsors.

“Social Security is a cornerstone of financial security for millions, and we must protect it from any threats or reductions. I was proud to vote to protect Social Security for millions of hardworking Americans by supporting the Social Security Fairness Act,” said LaLota. “Our seniors and public servants have earned their benefits through a lifetime of work and dedication, and we must ensure that these commitments are upheld. I’ll continue working across the aisle to make sure all Americans receive the benefits they've worked hard for and secure a dignified retirement for those who have spent their lives contributing to our communities and our country.”

To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.

Background:

The Social Security Fairness Act is bipartisan legislation that would eliminate both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These two provisions unfairly reduce or eliminate earned Social Security benefits for approximately 2.8 million Americans who’ve devoted much of their careers to public service — including police officers, firefighters, educators, and federal, state, and local government employees.

Currently, the WEP reduces the earned Social Security benefits of an individual who also receives a public pension from a job not covered by Social Security. WEP is a formula used to reduce the Social Security benefits for individuals who paid into both civil service pensions and Social Security throughout their careers. While the WEP was intended to prevent “windfalls,” in practice, it unfairly penalizes public servants who paid into Social Security just like everyone else. GPO reduces the spousal-dependent benefits of individuals who did not pay into Social Security themselves by two-thirds of their government pension. In some cases, this results in individuals receiving zero Social Security benefits, even if their spouse paid in their entire working career. Likewise, the GPO affects the spousal benefits of people who work as federal, state, or local government employees — including police officers, firefighters, and educators — if the job is not covered by Social Security. The GPO reduces by two-thirds the benefit received by surviving spouses who also collect a government pension.

The WEP currently impacts approximately 2 million Social Security beneficiaries, and the GPO impacts nearly 800,000 retirees.

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