By Susan Dixon, President California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA)
The journey to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) has been arduous and fraught with challenges. Yet, the dedication and perseverance of many advocates culminated in a monumental success with the signing of H.R. 82 into law by President Joe Biden on January 5, 2025.
This historic legislation, spearheaded by bipartisan efforts from Congressman Garrett Graves and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, marks a significant victory for Social Security fairness. After years of advocacy and rallying, the bill received overwhelming support in the House on November 12, 2024, with 327 votes and passed the Senate on December 21, 2024, with 76 votes in favor.
The path to this achievement was not easy. As a witness in the House Gallery during the vote, I saw firsthand the culmination of efforts that followed intense lobbying and public rallying, including a significant event in Washington, D.C., where hundreds braved pouring rain to support the bill’s passage. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s commitment to bring the bill to a vote was a critical turning point.
Upon the bill’s passage, I had the honor of attending the signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House. It was an emotionally charged moment, witnessing a change that would right decades of financial wrongs imposed by the WEP and GPO. This victory is especially meaningful for members of CalRTA and similar organizations that have fought tirelessly for over two decades to see these penalties repealed.
CalRTA has been a cornerstone in this advocacy, organizing Lobby Days in Washington, D.C., and coordinating national campaigns that galvanized support from a myriad of stakeholders including educators, firefighters, and public service workers. I serve as vice chair of a national grassroots coalition of organizations that included members from public service groups, teachers, firefighters, and foreign pensioners. Additionally, I had the privilege of being part of a key stakeholder group for six years under the guidance of bill authors Representatives Rodney Davis, Garrett Graves, and Abigail Spanberger. Known as the “kitchen cabinet,” this select group of key stakeholders included the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), AFL-CIO, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) and California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA).