# Plain Language Summary: Social Security Fairness Act of 2023

This bill eliminates two rules that reduce Social Security benefits for certain people who receive government pensions. These rules, called the "Government Pension Offset" and the "Windfall Elimination Provision," have been in place for decades and affect teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other government workers who didn't pay into Social Security during their careers.

Here's how these rules currently work and who they hurt. If you worked for a government employer (like a school district or city) and received a pension from that job, but your spouse or ex-spouse earned Social Security benefits, the Government Pension Offset can reduce your spousal or survivor benefits by up to two-thirds of your government pension. Similarly, the Windfall Elimination Provision reduces your own Social Security benefits if you receive a government pension. For example, a teacher who spent 30 years in a school system earning a $2,000 monthly pension might see their Social Security spousal benefit cut from $500 to just $166 per month. This bill would eliminate both of these reductions, allowing people to receive their full benefits.

The practical impact is straightforward: roughly 2 million current and future retirees would receive higher Social Security payments. A widow whose spousal benefits were cut in half would get the full amount she's entitled to. A retired police officer would no longer see his benefits slashed because he earned a government pension. The bill would take effect for benefits paid after December 2023, meaning eligible people could see increased payments relatively quickly. While this would increase Social Security's costs, supporters argue it's fair to people who worked hard in public service and shouldn't be penalized for having a government job instead of a private-sector one.

Social Security Fairness Act of 2023

Graves, Garret

Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who&nbsp;receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset, which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision, which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who&nbsp;also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2023.