Luttrell Cosponsors Legislation to Restore Full Social Security Benefits for Public Servants, Passes House with Bipartisan Support

WASHINGTON— Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) cosponsored H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan effort to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This legislation aims to restore the Social Security benefits public servants have rightfully earned, ensuring a fair retirement for teachers, police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, and other state and local government employees, as well as their spouses. 

H.R. 82 was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today with strong bipartisan support. 

“This bill corrects a problem that has been hanging over the heads of our teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and countless other public servants,” said Congressman Luttrell. “These men and women have served their communities, and they deserve to retire with full access to the benefits they’ve earned rather than having to worry about being shortchanged by old, outdated rules. I was proud to cosponsor and vote for legislation that ensures their retirement security is protected.”

Currently, the WEP reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who paid into both civil service pensions and Social Security throughout their careers, unfairly penalizing firefighters, police officers, and teachers. The 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.