Celebrating a Historic Win for Public Sector Employees in the Inland Empire

For decades, public sector workers across the country—teachers, nurses, and firefighters—have fought against unjust laws that cut their Social Security benefits. In the Inland Empire, this fight has been particularly urgent, as thousands of union members have been impacted by two policies that unfairly penalized public employees: the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). But now, thanks to years of persistent organizing and advocacy, these barriers have finally been dismantled.

On January 3rd, 2025, in one of his final acts in office, outgoing President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) into law, repealing the GPO and WEP. This landmark victory restores fairness to the Social Security system, ensuring that public workers receive the benefits they rightfully earned.

How the GPO and WEP Hurt Public Workers

The GPO and WEP were designed to reduce Social Security costs, but in doing so, they disproportionately harmed public sector employees who had “non-covered pensions”—pensions paid by employers that did not withhold Social Security taxes. The Government Pension Offset cut benefits for spouses of public workers, while the Windfall Elimination Provision used a formula to reduce benefits for public employees themselves, even if they had worked the required 40 quarters to qualify.

This meant that firefighters, teachers, and countless other public servants were denied full Social Security benefits simply because they also had a pension. For over 40 years, these unfair provisions impacted the financial security of millions, particularly affecting widows who were left without full survivor benefits.

The Role of Inland Empire Union Members in the Fight

The Inland Empire Labor Council recognized the significance of this issue and championed efforts to repeal these provisions. Union members locally and nationwide played a critical role in pushing Congress to act. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), including thousands of members from our region, spearheaded the campaign, sending over 30,000 emails to legislators demanding change. Their voices, combined with advocacy from other public sector unions, finally led to the passage of the SSFA.

A Conversation with Congressman Mark Takano and Mike Detoy

To highlight the significance of this win, the Inland Empire Labor Council facilitated a discussion between Congressman Mark Takano and Mike Detoy, President of the Riverside City Firefighters’ Association. The conversation delved into the years of struggle behind the repeal and what this means for public employees moving forward. As Congressman Takano emphasized, the repeal of GPO and WEP is a testament to the power of collective action and strong advocacy.

Firefighters, for example, often worked their 40 quarters in construction or teaching before or alongside their service, yet they were still penalized under the old rules. Now, with the passage of the SSFA, these workers and their families will receive the full benefits they deserve. Additionally, widows who were previously denied full survivor benefits will now receive them in full, significantly improving financial stability for countless families.

A Victory for 22 Million Public Sector Workers

The repeal of these harmful provisions benefits an estimated 22 million public sector employees nationwide. This is a historic win for working people and a testament to the power of persistent union organizing. It reaffirms the principle that all workers—regardless of whether they have a government pension—deserve the Social Security benefits they have earned.

As we celebrate this victory, the Labor Council remains committed to advocating for policies that protect and uplift workers. The fight for fairness is ongoing, but this moment serves as a reminder that when union members stand together, they can win lasting change.

Watch the Full Conversation

For a deeper dive into this landmark victory, watch our discussion featuring Congressman Mark Takano and Mike Detoy, available on the Inland Empire Labor Council’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IY-Z0S3H0k