GPO-WEP Repeal: A Game-Changer for Public Service

The long-awaited repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) is finally here, thanks to President Biden's signing of the Social Security Fairness Act. This historic legislation marks a significant victory for over two million retired public service workers who have been denied their hard-earned Social Security benefits for decades. The repeal of GPO-WEP is a game-changer for public service, bringing much-needed retirement security and peace of mind to thousands of AFSCME members and inspiring passionate job seekers to pursue these critical careers.

Insert chart showing the impact of GPO-WEP repeal on Social Security benefits

The repeal of GPO-WEP is the culmination of decades of relentless organizing by AFSCME members, both on the job and already retired, along with fellow public service workers nationwide. Through petitions, letter-writing campaigns, calls to representatives in Congress, and face-to-face demands, they tirelessly advocated for this change. Their tireless efforts have finally paid off, with the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act.

AFSCME extends its gratitude to our Congressional allies, especially Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and Rep. Garret Graves, for standing with us to right this wrong. We also applaud President Biden for delivering another monumental win for public service workers.

The repeal of GPO-WEP will have a profound impact on the lives of public service workers and their families. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), eliminating the WEP would boost monthly payments to affected beneficiaries by an average of $360 by December 2025. Ending the GPO would increase monthly benefits by an average of $700 for 380,000 recipients getting benefits based on living spouses, and by an average of $1,190 for 390,000 surviving spouses getting a widow or widower benefit.

The repeal of GPO-WEP will not only improve the retirement security of public service workers but also make public service careers more attractive to potential recruits. With increased retirement benefits and improved job satisfaction, public service sectors such as education, healthcare, and emergency services can now better compete with private sector jobs in terms of retirement benefits. This could help address potential labor shortages in these sectors and encourage more individuals to pursue careers in public service.

In conclusion, the repeal of GPO-WEP is a historic victory for public service workers and a game-changer for the public service sector. With improved retirement security and increased job satisfaction, public service careers have become more attractive, and thousands of AFSCME members can now retire with peace of mind. The tireless advocacy of AFSCME members and the support of our Congressional allies have made this victory possible.