Ohio Educators Applaud Bipartisan Push to Advance Social Security Fairness Act

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With a rare show of bipartisan support, the Social Security Fairness Act moves closer to a House vote, promising long-overdue relief for Ohio's public servants.

A Major Win for Ohio's Public Servants

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Education Association (OEA) is celebrating a significant legislative breakthrough as the Social Security Fairness Act advances toward a full vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which has garnered 218 signatures through a successful discharge petition, seeks to eliminate the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)—two controversial rules that have long denied public employees the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned.

“For too long, Ohio’s public servants have been punished for their service by the Federal Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions,” said OEA President Scott DiMauro. “These punitive, unfair federal laws have got to go, and the U.S. House must take up the legislation that would achieve these necessary changes as soon as possible.”

Ohio’s Bipartisan Effort

The discharge petition’s success was buoyed by strong support from Ohio’s congressional delegation, with representatives from both parties joining forces to move the legislation forward. Among the Ohio lawmakers who signed the petition were Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-1), Joyce Beatty (OH-3), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Shontell Brown (OH-11), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Dave Joyce (OH-14), and Mike Carey (OH-15).

Their support highlights the broad consensus that the current Social Security rules are unjust and need to be reformed. “If you pay into Social Security, you should receive full benefits. Anything less is wrong,” DiMauro emphasized. “Ohio’s public school educators are simply asking for what they’ve earned so they can retire with dignity after dedicating their lives and careers to serving Ohio’s students.”

A Barrier to Public Service

The GPO and WEP provisions have been a source of frustration and financial hardship for many public servants in Ohio and across the nation. The rules reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for individuals who receive a government pension, effectively penalizing those who have worked in both public and private sectors.

For educators, firefighters, police officers, and other public employees, the impact of these provisions can be devastating. Many find that their Social Security benefits are slashed or eliminated altogether, despite having contributed to the system during their private-sector employment. This has not only affected retirees but also serves as a deterrent to potential new hires who might otherwise consider careers in public service.

“GPO/WEP is a barrier for potentially great educators who may choose not to enter this profession because they would lose much of the Social Security benefits they’ve earned in previous private sector work,” DiMauro noted. “It’s time to remove these unfair obstacles and ensure that all public servants are treated equitably.”

A Path to Fairness

The Social Security Fairness Act, with 326 co-sponsors in the House and 62 in the Senate, enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown has been a vocal advocate for the legislation in the Senate, where it is expected to face less resistance than in previous years. If passed, the bill would restore full Social Security benefits to nearly 250,000 Ohioans and millions more across the country who have been affected by these outdated provisions.

“Ohio’s educators and public servants have waited long enough for this change,” said DiMauro. “We’re calling on the House and Senate to move this bill forward quickly for a vote. Our public servants deserve to retire with the security and dignity they’ve earned.”

What’s Next?

With the discharge petition now complete, the Social Security Fairness Act will sit on the House calendar for seven legislative days. After that period, Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), who led the discharge petition effort, will request that the Speaker schedule a vote. If no action is taken, the bill will automatically proceed to a vote within two legislative days.

This momentous step is the result of a relentless grassroots campaign by organizations like the OEA and the Fraternal Order of Police, which have mobilized members to press their representatives for action. As the bill heads toward a vote, public servants across the nation are watching closely, hopeful that this long-awaited reform will finally become law.

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