The WEP reduces the Social Security benefits of people who work in jobs both covered and not covered by Social Security over the course of their careers. One example of this is school-based SLPs who take part-time or summer jobs in order to make ends meet. The GPO reduces—or eliminates—the Social Security benefits for spouses or survivors of people who also get a pension based on federal, state, or local government employment NOT covered by Social Security.

The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82/S. 597) would eliminate the WEP and GPO offsets, thus improving social security benefits for those impacted. The Social Security Fairness Act passed the House of Representatives on November 12, 2024 with overwhelming support of 327 members, and is currently being considered by the U.S. Senate, where it has the support of 63 Senators. 

Please complete the form to email your Senators and urge them to support consideration and passage of H.R. 82/S. 597). 

Questions? Contact Eric Masten, ASHA’s director of federal affairs, education, at emasten@asha.org.