Joe Biden, the current United States President, signed a bill to expand Social Security benefits for American workers. The Social Security Fairness Act will impact over 2.5 million people, including retired teachers and first responders.
For decades, the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset reduced the amount retired employees received from their Social Security. The act creates a per month increase of $360 in Social Security.
To add to the monthly increase, Biden claims that the 2.5 million people covered under the new law would “receive a lump sum payment of thousands of dollars to make up for the shortfall in benefits they should have gotten in 2024.”
The Social Security Fairness Act passed with a majority vote from the House and the Senate. The final results were 327-75 and 76-20 in November and the bill was sent to Biden in December of 2024.
The ceremony recorded one of the last instances Biden is anticipated to sign major legislation, with his presidential term coming to an end on Jan. 20 and President-elect Donald Trump to take office.
Individuals including Republican Senator Susan Collins, have shown their support of the bill.
“This is a victory for thousands of teachers, first responders, public servants, and the countless advocates who fought for years to correct this unfairness,” shared Collins.
This law applied to Social Security benefits in 2024, but retired workers and those reaching retirement can expect more change moving forward.
Author: Briar Adams
Photo courtesy of Kent Nishimura/Getty
Editor: Anna Mower
news@suunews.net
