Would HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act increase my postal retirement benefits?

HR 82 is the Social Security Fairness Act that aims to repeal both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). If passed, it would potentially increase your Social Security benefits since you're a CSRS postal employee receiving a reduced benefit. The WEP currently reduces SS benefits for people who worked in jobs that didn't pay into Social Security (like federal/postal service under CSRS) but who also qualify for SS from other employment. The bill has bipartisan support but has failed to pass for several years despite being reintroduced. Nothing is guaranteed for 2025 yet.

my cousin works 4 the post office too and shes SUPER excited about this bill. she said all USPS people r gonna get like thousands more $$$ every year if it passes. but congress keeps stalling it cause they dont want 2 pay up. good luck!!!!

I'm in the EXACT same boat! Worked for USPS for 31 years, now getting a pathetic SS check every month. I've been watching HR 82 for THREE YEARS now and honestly, I've given up hope. They keep reintroducing it but it never gets voted on. Even with all these co-sponsors they talk about, it just sits there. Don't hold your breath waiting for Congress to actually DO SOMETHING to help us!!!

If this bill passes, you would see an increase only if you're currently subject to WEP or GPO reductions. For FERS employees who've been paying into Social Security since 1984, there's generally no WEP reduction unless you had substantial earnings before 1984 that didn't pay into Social Security. CSRS employees who didn't pay into Social Security are more likely to benefit from this bill passing.

I've been trying to reach someone at SSA to explain exactly how the WEP is calculated in my case and it's IMPOSSIBLE to get through. Spent 3 hours on hold last week before giving up. Anyone know a better way to talk to an actual person at Social Security about how HR 82 would affect my specific situation?

To answer your specific question - if HR 82 passes, and you're currently subject to WEP reduction (which it sounds like you are based on your reported benefit amount), then yes, you would likely see an increase in your Social Security payment. The exact amount depends on your earnings history and how the WEP is currently affecting you. But don't count on this bill passing - it's had strong support for years but continues to stall due to concerns about the cost to the Social Security trust fund.

THEY'VE BEEN TEASING US WITH THIS BILL FOR OVER A DECADE!!! Don't get your hopes up. This is just another empty promise from politicians who don't actually care about retired federal workers. I'll believe it when I see the money in my account!!!

To determine exactly how much your benefit would increase without WEP, look at your Social Security statement (available on mySocialSecurity). Find the section that shows your projected benefit WITHOUT the WEP reduction. The difference between that amount and what you're currently receiving would be your increase if HR 82 passes. For FERS employees who worked at USPS after 1984, WEP typically only applies if you also had substantial non-SS-covered employment or if you were switched from CSRS to FERS mid-career.

I'm also a postal retiree dealing with WEP reduction on my Social Security benefits. Started at USPS in 1995 under FERS but had previous jobs that paid into SS. Currently getting about $1,200/month when my statement shows I should be getting around $1,650 without WEP. I've been following HR 82 closely and while it has more co-sponsors than ever before (over 300 in the House), the reality is that similar bills have had strong support in the past but still failed to pass. The main obstacle is always the projected cost to the Social Security trust fund - estimates range from $150-200 billion over 10 years. That said, this might be our best shot yet given the current political climate and increased awareness of how WEP/GPO affects federal retirees. For those asking about specific benefit increases, definitely check your Social Security statement online - it clearly shows both your WEP-reduced amount and what you'd receive without the reduction.

As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this discussion with great interest since I'm in a similar situation. I retired from a different government agency in 2020 and am also dealing with WEP reductions on my Social Security benefits. What I've learned from following HR 82 over the past few years is that while the bill does have unprecedented support with over 300 co-sponsors, the fiscal reality remains challenging. The Congressional Budget Office estimates it would cost around $196 billion over 10 years, which is why it keeps stalling despite bipartisan support. For those wondering about their specific situations, I'd recommend not just checking your Social Security statement online, but also calling during off-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) to speak with an SSA representative who can walk you through exactly how WEP is calculated in your case. The calculation is quite complex and depends on your "years of substantial earnings" in Social Security-covered employment. While I remain cautiously optimistic about HR 82's chances in 2025, I think it's important we manage our expectations and continue advocating for this issue rather than just waiting and hoping.

As a newcomer here, I've been following the HR 82 discussions with great interest since I'm also a federal retiree dealing with WEP. One thing I wanted to add that might help everyone understand the legislative process better - HR 82 actually passed the House in previous sessions but died in the Senate. The challenge isn't just getting House co-sponsors (which we have plenty of), but getting Senate leadership to bring it to a floor vote. The Senate version (S 597) has far fewer co-sponsors. For those checking their Social Security statements, also look for the "WEP Fact Sheet" that SSA sometimes includes - it explains your specific reduction amount and the years of substantial earnings that factor into the calculation. While I share everyone's frustration with the repeated delays, I think the key is understanding that this is as much a political timing issue as it is a fiscal one. The $196 billion cost estimate scares lawmakers, but if we can demonstrate strong constituent pressure across multiple states, that might finally push it over the finish line.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly informative discussion! I'm also a federal retiree (different agency than postal) and have been struggling to understand exactly how HR 82 would affect my situation. Reading through all these comments has been more helpful than hours of trying to research this on my own. What really stands out to me is how many different situations people are in - some under CSRS, some under FERS, different start dates, different prior work history - yet we're all dealing with the same WEP reductions in various ways. I especially appreciate the practical advice about checking the Social Security statement online and the tips for actually getting through to speak with an SSA representative. Like many of you, I've been cautiously following this bill for years and trying not to get my hopes up, but it's encouraging to see the level of knowledge and advocacy in this community. For those still trying to figure out their specific situations, I'd also suggest documenting everything you learn about your WEP calculation - it helps when talking to SSA representatives if you can reference specific numbers from your statement.