Gillibrand calls for Senate to pass bill expanding Social Security for public sector workers
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) is pushing the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that would expand social security benefits for over 35,000 New York public sector retirees.
The public sector workers include state and local government employees, teachers, firefighters and police officers.
The Social Securities Fairness Act passed in the House with considerable bipartisan support last week. The Senate has not voted on it yet.
“No one should be denied the Social Security benefits they have earned and deserve,” Gillibrand said Wednesday. “Passing this bill would give retiring public servants some desperately needed peace of mind and reward them for the invaluable role they’ve played in society.”
If passed, the bill would eliminate two provisions, the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which reduces the amount in Social Security that retirees can receive. All in all, about 2.5 million Americans would see their Social Security go up.
Payments would be retroactive to December 2023.
“The cost is quite considerable,” Gillibrand said. “About $19 billion a year. It’s a lot of money we’re going to be putting back into people’s pockets.”
Latest Local News
Buffalo Behind the Scenes: Stitch Buffalo
Hospitals brace for COVID, flu season while managing IV fluid shortage
United Way provides 500 turkeys, gift cards to former Sumitomo employees
Buffalo man admits to fatal 2022 shooting
Above-ground metro rail service back open
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.