Rapid Response Action Call: Restore Social Security Benefits for Public Sector Workers!

Click here to download this Action Call as a PDF.

Urge Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote Now!

Retirement is a key priority for every Steelworker, and our union fights tirelessly to protect it. Each year, nearly four million Americans retire, relying on Social Security benefits they’ve earned. However, many public employees, including thousands of Steelworkers, are denied their fair share.

What’s the issue and solution?

• Due to bad policy choices made by past elected leaders, many public employees have their Social Security benefit reduced or eliminated.
  • Our union represents thousands of workers in the public sector, including librarians, crossing guards, public school custodians, emergency medical service (EMS) personal, bus drivers, and so many other folks who serve our communities.
• Certain laws, commonly known as the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), hurt public employees in 26 states by making it harder for them to retire.
  • GPO reduces or eliminates Social Security benefits for public employees who earn a government pension and are also eligible for Social Security benefits from spouses, widows, and widowers.
  • WEP penalizes workers who have paid into Social Security, but also receive a government pension or disability benefit.
• For decades, working class families have fought to end the GPO and WEP by passing H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.

What is H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act?

• The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act will guarantee that millions of public employees can retire with dignity by repealing the GPO and WEP.
• H.R. 82 would restore fairness by ensuring that public employees receive the full Social Security benefits that reflect their contributions.

What’s the process for passing H.R. 82 into law?

• Earlier this year, H.R. 82 passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 327 to 75.
• Now, it’s the Senate’s turn! 62 Senators co-sponsored the legislation, which is more than 60 needed to clear any filibuster.
• However, the 118th Congress is nearing the end of its term. The Senate needs to schedule a floor vote on H.R. 82 before the end of the 118th Congress.

**To view USW’s International President David McCall’s letter to the Senate regarding this issue, please click HERE

Tell Your U.S. Senators to Bring the Social Security Fairness Act to a Vote!
Click HERE (usw.to/56n) to send a prewritten email to your Senators to urge them to bring H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, to a vote before the end of the 118th Congress.

You can also call them and be directly connected by using our toll-free number below. Tell them who you are, where you are from, and to support H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act.

Senate Toll-Free Number: 1-877-607-0785
(Remember to make two calls to be connected with both your Senators.)