Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown achieved a significant legislative victory that will benefit public sector workers in Ohio and across the country before leaving Washington. The Social Security Fairness Act, which Brown championed, ensures that former government workers like police officers, firefighters, and teachers can collect their full retirement benefits by repealing two provisions that reduce Social Security payouts.
Many public sector workers aren’t covered by Social Security because their employers run pension programs for their retirement. However, many of these workers later take jobs that do contribute to Social Security. Despite working the requisite 40 quarters to be fully eligible for Social Security benefits, their payouts are reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which offsets their retirement benefits from the pension program.
William Johnson, who heads the National Association of Police Organizations, explained, “Most police officers must retire after specific time served, usually in their early to mid-fifties, but many look for new opportunities to serve their community.” Due to WEP, these workers do not receive full support from their Social Security benefits, as their pensions heavily offset the amount they receive. The Government Pension Offset (GPO) further reduces Social Security dependent benefits if one spouse receives benefits from a public pension. Johnson argued that this often results in the elimination of most or all of the payment for surviving spouses.
These provisions were approved in the 1970s and 80s to keep the program solvent. In total, Brown’s office said the reductions affect 3 million Americans, including almost a quarter million Ohioans. Following an election where Republicans criticized Brown’s long service in Washington, the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act serves as a testament to his experience and persistence.
Securing fair benefits for public workers
Brown has been working to pass this legislation since his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, which he left 17 years ago. “This victory is for all the public servants who will finally get the Social Security they have earned,” Brown said in a press release following the vote.
“Congress ensured that police officers, firefighters, teachers, and public servants across Ohio will be able to retire with the Social Security they spent their lives paying into.”
Brown’s effort has benefited from shifting attitudes within the Republican Party, where traditional goals of cutting Social Security spending have taken a back seat. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan and recent figures like U.S. Sen. Rick Scott have floated ideas to overhaul or reduce the program, but such initiatives have lost steam, particularly with Donald Trump’s rise in the party.
The Social Security Fairness Act doesn’t resolve the long-term financial challenges facing Social Security, with the most recent trust fund report projecting depletion by 2033. Despite this, public sector organizations praised the bill’s passage. National Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes condemned WEP and GPO as “inherently unfair,” equating them to embezzlement if done by a private entity.
International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly said, “For over 40 years, firefighters and other public workers have had their retirement benefits stolen by Congress. But today, the United States Senate stood up to say, ‘No more,’ and ensured retirees finally get the benefits they paid into and earned.”
Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro added that the provisions had dissuaded many from entering public service due to the potential loss of previously earned Social Security benefits. “That changes now,” he stated.
Sherrod Brown’s legislative success marks a meaningful step in securing fair retirement benefits for public sector workers as he concludes his tenure in Washington.
