After sending a letter to Louisiana’s United States Senators last week urging them to pass the Social Security Fairness Act before the holidays, Senate President J. Cameron Henry and Speaker of the House Phillip R. DeVillier praised its approval last night saying it will positively impact citizens across the state.
“Public servants who held private sector jobs in their lifetimes did not deserve to be penalized by social security,” said President Henry. “The Windfall Elimination Provision unfairly reduced critical benefits for millions who worked public sector jobs not covered by social security. By passing HR 82, individuals and families can rest easy they can collect the benefits tied to the money they paid into the system just like everyone else.”
“Withholding spousal benefits of government employees with jobs not covered by social security was an injustice that urgently needed to be fixed by Congress,” said Speaker DeVillier. “Supporting our retired fire fighters, police officers and other public servants in their efforts to reverse this unfair punishment has been a worthy effort and we celebrate the end of this senseless penalty.”
The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates reductions to social security benefits for millions of people who receive pensions from work in federal, state and local government or public service jobs like teachers and law enforcement. The final Senate vote last night in favor of the bill was 76-20.