John,

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) threaten the Social Security benefits of millions of retired teachers, support staff and other public employees every day. Together, these two provisions unfairly penalize retirees in states across the country and in Puerto Rico who have worked in public service but in their careers paid into Social Security. These folks really get hurt by losing their Social Security.

While current law does not impact every retiree in every state, the people affected feel real economic pain. For example, the GPO denies survivor benefits to retired teachers, support staff and other public employees whose spouses paid into Social Security, disproportionately impacting women, who are already more likely to be impoverished as they get older.

That is why Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) have championed the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, a bill that would fully repeal the WEP and GPO.

They and the AFT have worked hard to ensure that the majority of current House members support the repeal of these bad provisions. The vote will be TODAY! Ask your representative to vote yes on the Social Security Fairness Act.

For decades, the WEP and GPO have undermined the ability to retire with dignity. Now Congress has the power to get this done and pass legislation that would be a real solution for millions of retirees.

The Social Security Fairness Act is supported by a robust, bipartisan group of lawmakers. It’s vitally important to tell your representative that the WEP and GPO must be fully repealed.

Congress can right this wrong today when the House votes to reverse the WEP and GPO and make everyday life more secure for millions of retired teachers and public employees across the country. Repealing the WEP and GPO is a real, commonsense solution that the AFT has been fighting for to make life better for retirees. Join us and take action now!

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President