WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced it has sent 3.1 million payments to Social Security beneficiaries who were owed retroactive benefits and updated monthly payments under the Social Security Fairness Act:
“The Trump Administration continues to lean-in on providing immediate relief for America’s seniors – whether its tax cuts under The One, Big, Beautiful Bill or ensuring those who were affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO) are made whole. When Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act – which repealed the WEP and GPO – the Ways and Means Committee made it clear to the Social Security Administration that implementation of the law needed to be done in a timely and responsible manner to ensure seniors impacted by those flawed policies did not have to wait any longer than necessary to see the impact. The fact that the Trump Administration has done just that and delivered these payments five months ahead of schedule is a testament to the President’s commitment to America’s seniors.”
Background:
- The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law on January 5, 2025 – repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, effective December 2023.
- The WEP and GPO were enacted in 1983 and primarily affected state and local government employees, like teachers, police officers, and firefighters, and federal government employees who received a pension based on earnings that are exempt from Social Security payroll taxes.
- The WEP reduced the benefits of certain beneficiaries who are entitled to both Social Security benefits and pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security.
- The GPO reduced the benefits of certain spouses and survivors who are also receiving pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security.