Mick McHale, president of the National Association of Police Organizations. (Fox News Digital)
"For over 40 years, the men and women, especially in the area of public safety… have been penalized as a result of the pension system that they belong to," McHale said.
Firefighters, police officers, postal workers, teachers, and others with a public pension have collected decreased Social Security benefits for jobs they held in the private sector because of WEP, which was designed to prevent so-called double-dipping from a government pension and Social Security.
The GPO ensures spousal benefits are adjusted to reflect income from public pensions in an effort to prevent Social Security overpayments.
"This is a victory for thousands of teachers, first responders, and public servants in Maine who, through service to their communities, have been forced to forego their earned retirement benefits," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., the lead sponsor of the measure.
BEWARE OF THIS SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM BY CROOKS TRYING TO TRICK YOU
The U.S. Capitol Dome is seen at night. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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"However, that time period that we were in the law enforcement profession is where the penalty is applied when we reach the golden years and we should be enjoying the benefits of our efforts," he said.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/police-group-praises-bill-give-public-sector-retirees-full-social-security-benefits-deserved-earned