From the ARA: Retirees Want Final Passage after Cloture Vote to Restore Social Security Benefits so that Millions of Americans will Avoid Economic Hardship

EDITOR'S NOTE: See also from The Hill:GOP battle erupts over Social Security bill

The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding the Senate’s 73-27 vote to reach cloture on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act:

“Retirees are excited that the Senate reached cloture today on legislation to restore full Social Security benefits to millions of Americans. However, it is too soon to celebrate fully.

“The House also passed the Social Security Fairness Act, H.R. 82, on November 12, so the bill still needs final passage in the Senate before it can head to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature.

“This landmark legislation is a long time coming. The Alliance for Retired Americans has been working for decades to see this bill become law.

“For too long, the government has taken away Social Security benefits from millions of retired federal, state and local government employees who worked as teachers, police, firefighters, postal workers and general employees — benefits they earned when they worked other jobs.

“The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which unfairly reduce Social Security benefits for public sector retirees who receive a public pension — or the spouse or survivor of a Social Security beneficiary — who worked in a job not covered by the Social Security program.

“The WEP and GPO disproportionately affect lower-income workers and women. As a result of today’s vote, millions of Americans are now on the verge of avoiding economic hardship during their retirement.”