We are thrilled to announce that after years of relentless advocacy and dedication by retirees and workers nationwide, including our very own Council 400 members, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law by President Biden on Sunday, January 5th. This landmark legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), long-standing provisions that unfairly reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for retirees receiving pensions from non-Social Security-covered employment, such as the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS).

This victory would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of Bette Marafino, President of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (CT ARA). Bette’s work was honored with the opportunity to introduce President Biden ahead of this historic signing. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Win Heimer, Vice President of CT ARA, and Amelia Smith, CSEA Council 400 Liaison to CT ARA, for their tireless efforts in championing this cause. The CSEA Council 400 Retirees have supported this initiative for many years, and we are overjoyed to see it finally come to fruition.

What Does This Mean for You?

1. Full Social Security Benefits for Non-Teaching Work
If you worked in jobs outside of teaching where you paid into Social Security, you are now eligible to receive the full benefits you earned—no longer reduced by the WEP.

2. Spousal or Survivor Benefits
If you qualify for Social Security spousal or survivor benefits, these will no longer be reduced by two-thirds of your TRS pension. This change could result in a significant boost to your income.

3. Retroactive Payments
The repeal includes retroactive payments for benefits withheld during 2024 due to WEP or GPO. You may receive a lump sum for these amounts; however, the exact timing for such payments is still being determined.

Next Steps for Retirees

1. Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA):
   Update your work history and confirm your eligibility for benefits.

2. Monitor Updates:
   SSA will begin recalculating benefits for those affected. Be prepared to provide additional documentation if requested.

3. Seek Professional Guidance:
   Consider consulting a financial advisor who specializes in retirement benefits to ensure you’re maximizing your income. As a reminder, the Retiree Team cannot provide you with specific guidance. 

This historic development restores fairness to retirees who contributed to both public pensions and Social Security. We’ll continue to share updates as more details become available.

Congratulations again to everyone who played a part in making this happen—it’s a monumental step forward for retirees across the nation!

WATCH THE EVENT HERE