Jan. 5, 2025, was a historic day for Missouri’s retired educators and public school employees, as well as other government employees in Missouri and other states. President Joe Biden signed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, into law.
This landmark legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), ending decades of unfair reductions to Social Security benefits for countless retirees. This monumental step comes after years of advocacy by the Missouri Retired Teachers and Public School Personnel Association (MRTA) and its members, as well as other public retiree groups.
Some people call this repeal unfair. They say retired teachers and other public employees get pensions from state pension funds so they shouldn’t get Social Security benefits for which they and their employers haven’t contributed. Well, they won’t get Social Security if the only jobs they have ever had were in public schools or government agencies at which they earned a public pension.
The WEP affected those who had summer jobs, those who (for example) directed church choirs year round, and those who worked other second jobs in the private sector in which they and their employers paid into the Social Security system. Upon retirement they were told, because they received public pensions, they would not receive the full benefits from Social Security for which they’d contributed. Not just a small portion would be cut, but more than 50 percent would not be forthcoming.
The GPO concerned spousal benefits. If a retiree applied for an upgrade in Social Security benefits after the death of a spouse who received Social Security payments, the surviving spouse benefit would be reduced, if given at all.
“This is a monumental win for Missouri’s retired teachers and public school personnel,” said Randy McClain, Legislative Chair for MRTA. “This signing of H.R. 82 proves the power of collective action and what can be achieved when we stand together for a common cause. This victory honors the voices of educators who have tirelessly advocated for equity in retirement benefits over the years.”
I urge retired educators and retired school personnel to join the Missouri Retired Teachers Association. It is a non-political organization that advocates for the interests of retired school personnel, as well as the interests of public education. Call 573-634-3400 for more information and to find an MRTA unit near you.
Anita Hartley, MRTA Region 6 Vice President, Osceola
