In a move to support thousands of public sector workers in Oklahoma, President Joe Biden has signed a law that will increase Social Security benefits for many retired workers. This law, known as the Social Security Fairness Act, is set to provide much-needed financial relief to those who have been impacted by previous reductions in their Social Security benefits.

What Does the Social Security Fairness Act Mean for Oklahomans?

The new law will primarily benefit retired workers from public sectors such as law enforcement, firefighting, and education. These workers, including retired police officers, firefighters, and teachers, will now receive larger Social Security benefits than they had before. The boost in benefits could mean a few hundred extra dollars each month for those who were previously seeing their benefits reduced.

“Their Social Security benefits that were being reduced will no longer be reduced,” explained Mark Nelson, president of the OKC Fraternal Order of Police.

What Was the Issue Before?

Before this change, many public sector workers in Oklahoma were seeing their Social Security benefits cut due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced benefits for retirees who also had a government pension. Essentially, public sector workers were penalized for having worked in a government job with a pension, causing them to receive less from their Social Security.

With the new law in place, these provisions will be eliminated, allowing those retirees to receive the full benefits they paid into Social Security throughout their careers. This is being seen as a major win for retired workers, particularly for those who worked in essential services like law enforcement and firefighting.

A Win for Retired Officers and Firefighters

The law has been praised by union leaders and workers across Oklahoma, especially in the police and fire departments. Nelson, for example, stated that the law “levels the playing field” for retired officers.

“If I pay into Social Security like someone who doesn’t work for a government entity that has a pension, I will get the same benefits that I paid into it,” Nelson said. This equality in treatment is a significant step forward for those who have served in public sector jobs.

Cameron Weems, president of the OKC Firefighters IAFF Local 157, also expressed support for the law, highlighting how it will support not only retired firefighters but also their spouses.

The Impact on Spouses

The law also takes into account the spouses of retired public sector workers. Many of these workers passed away while still young, particularly firefighters who often die in their 50s or 60s. For their spouses, the pension may have provided some financial support, but it wasn’t always enough to keep up with rising living costs and inflation.

Weems pointed out that the new law will ensure that spouses of fallen workers will also receive a boost in their Social Security benefits. For example, widows who have been living on a pension will now receive additional financial support that could help them in their daily lives.

“We have a lot of firefighters that died at an early age—in their 50s or 60s, but spouses continue to live on. That’s the big deal to me,” Weems said. “A lady that’s been a widow for 10 years…the pension is good to have, but there was more there that she could’ve had.”

How Many People Will Benefit?

Statewide, thousands of Oklahomans will see an increase in their Social Security benefits. In Oklahoma City alone, hundreds of retired workers will benefit from the change. For many, the increase in benefits will make a significant difference, as many retirees were previously losing up to two-thirds of their Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.

“We have retirees who were losing about two-thirds of their benefits,” Weems said, emphasizing how much of an impact the reduction had on their financial well-being.

A Lump-Sum Payment for Over 2 Million Americans

In addition to the monthly increases in benefits, Biden has also announced that over 2 million Americans will receive a lump-sum payment to make up for the money that was withheld in 2024 due to the WEP and GPO provisions. This payment will be a one-time boost, helping retirees recover the amount that was previously taken from their Social Security.

Conclusion

The Social Security Fairness Act is a major win for public sector retirees in Oklahoma, providing them with the financial relief they need. The elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset will help level the playing field for those who worked in public service, ensuring they receive the full benefits they are entitled to. Furthermore, the law’s consideration of spouses of deceased workers will provide much-needed support for widows and widowers. This is a significant step forward for public sector workers in Oklahoma and across the country.