What Social Security Fairness Act means for your benefits

The “Social Security Fairness Act” — HR 82 — features plans to amend Social Security rules for millions, though it’ll have to get a presidential signature before going into effect. President Biden is expected to sign it next week.

[willywold]

No if you never paid into SS you wont get any with this. It’s for those that paid into SS at least 40 qualifying quarters who was denied SS or reduced 80% because for a period of time you worked at a place that didn’t pay into SS, yet you otherwise would have gotten full SS. However perhaps you might be eligible now for the spousal benefits that were otherwise denied. Like my former spouse only had 36 quarters and didn’t have her own SS, but yet had she tried to get spousal benefits she would of been denied because I was denied yet I had 60 quarters, but also the civil service pension, SS said we figured your benefits but reduced it 80%.

[davidconley]

You have to work under social security 40 quarters or 10 years to qualify for it.

[GillerHeston]

The 2.5% COLA for 2025 provides a modest increase in benefits for Americans receiving Social Security and SSI payments, helping to offset the rising cost of living and inflation. This increase offers essential financial relief for vulnerable populations like retirees. But as we know, the avg. American is having a tough time, I know I am not alone. There are others in same position as me. By certain statistics: 22% of americans have no retirement savings. 64% are worried that they will not have money in latter years while 47% of adults who are not yet retired think they have to work part-time in retirement. How can I best grow the 100k I have saved seperately outside retirement access which of course had depleted over the years?

[Moochie]

I'm all for those who contributed to get their fair share but if you didn't contribute, you shouldn't get anything.

[davidfarina]

When my wife retired as a 29 year school kitchen manager in a public school! She also worked a second job for years . Her pension was 200$ dollars higher than her SS! We lost 900$ a month when she retired and claimed her pension! That’s what WEP and GPO did to us. Some states made up for it, but Ohio didn’t.

[paulm]

No this is not for folks who haven't paid into SS. You had to have paid the minimum # of years and quarters into SS.

[arnoldtrogman]

It's 189 billion over 10 years. ... Not 900 billion dollars. Why don't you get your facts straight before you open your pie holes?

[natureflixs]

This report did not do a deep dive into the legislation. It effects only those who in addition to having a type job where social security was not withheld and also have at least 10 years (40 quarters) working at another job where they paid into social security. Under this scenario their SS benefits as well as their surviving spouse benefits have been cut by up to 66%. With WEP and GPO repealed full SS benefits commensurate with what they paid in to SS will be restored. It is expected to cost 190 billion for ten years shortening the timeframe that social security is expected to be broke by 6 months. Its a big deal for a small group of people who have been cheated out of their retirement benefits by the federal government.

[patrickhahn]

Question. Social security has been taken out of my pay checks over the years. I am retired. I get a reduced social security check. I was told that my social security check was reduced because I receive other retirement benefits. With the passing of this bill will I receive my monthly full social security benefits?

[kevinparker]

This is great!! I paid into SS same as everyone else and due to WEP had my SS was reduced. I am so please they have finally rectified this bad situation.

[PunkinPistolero]

This effected me and Im thankful I waited till February 2024 to file for my benefits. Im going to get all those months retro except for one and a 587. Increase monthly. I needed this with the cost of food and meds so much higher.

[Karen-yzs]

WEP reduces over half of my legally and lawfully supported Social Security benefits. I contributed to Social Security working 20 years in private education, and I contributed to a teachers’ pension working 24 years in public education. WEP eliminates over half of the SS from the 20 years of teaching. The GPO eliminates all spousal benefits, so if my spouse predeceases me, the GPO negates any benefits that others would receive. The newscasters, unfortunately, did not explain the HR 82 accurately, hinting that folks who did not pay into SS would not receive it. That is inaccurate.

[rickyburton]

It has also cut out my ability to pay utilities with the card I have been using for that purpose. Now it comes out of my SSDI money, and NOW, due to the Fairness act, I have to pay more in Medicine co-pay. It has been, and probably is, and WILL be an added hardship for many on SSDI.

[cherylharris]

If you did not pay into SS, you won’t get any benefits unless your spouse paid for you and you are entitled to half his or her benefits

[porchswing]

The newspeople gave the wrong information about social security. You need to make the corrections live on tv. Get your facts straight before broadcasting to the public

[OldCatLady-]

It will NOT cost 900 billion dollars - the newslady misspoke. She needs to correct herself.

[johnstreety]

Why not a "THANK YOU" for the people who gave to Social security since 1983 to help Social security to last this long because of the WEP/GPO law, was giving money to Social Security without receiving no benefits in return.

[lakemoonlight]

Straight from the bill: Shown Here:

Passed House (11/12/2024)
Social Security Fairness Act of 2023

This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who 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 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.

[winggs]

I had 40 qts before i was a faa air traffic controller. They owe me !!!!

[dougied]

Worst explanation/reporting on this topic I’ve heard. So much misinformation.