Support Efforts for Repeal of WEP legislation H.R.82 and S.597

Biden has until Jan 8 to sign the bill (or veto it!). If he doesn't sign it by that date then it becomes a "pocket veto" meaning that as Congress is no longer sitting it cannot revert to them as would normally be the case for bills not signed by the deadline and so it dies. I'm checking newsfeeds every day hoping to see that he's signed it!

Biden has until Jan 8 to sign the bill (or veto it!). If he doesn't sign it by that date then it becomes a "pocket veto" meaning that as Congress is no longer sitting it cannot revert to them as would normally be the case for bills not signed by the deadline and so it dies. I'm checking newsfeeds every day hoping to see that he's signed it!

I'm sure like many others, I've been waiting for confirmation when the President signs - I'd like to think it would now be a formality given so many Democrats have sponsored this bill.

Here's a couple fo useful links to track progress:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/82/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs although the bill passed the Senate on 21/12/24, it wasn't presented to the President until the 27th.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/legislation/ The last bill signed by the President was signed 3 days after it was presented - given all the other things going on at the moment, it's not surprising that there is a short delay - can't imagine it won't get signed however - that would be an awful legacy for Biden to sign out on.

According to the National Fraternal Order of Police Joe Biden will sign this into law on the 6th of January.

Also confirmed by ACA (American Citizens Abroad):

H.R. 82 - Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
Will Be Signed Into Law on January 6, 2025


ACA has been informed that on December 31, 2024, it was confirmed that President Biden will sign the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 in a bill signing ceremony at the White House. This invitation-only event is scheduled for January 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EST. If the event is streamed live, it will be at https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/.

Once the Social Security Fairness Act is signed into law, the Social Security Administration will provide updates on benefits under the new law here https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html.

Apparently the White House is saying that a live broadcast of the President signing the legislation into law is imminent.

Legislation now signed by Joe Biden!

Legislation now signed by Joe Biden!

Yay!!

Thanks for keeping us informed

Thanks is for the updates. The legislation will have untold benefits for many of us. I’m at 20 years of contributions and would have been exposed to maximum WEP. It’s great to be able to log on to my SSA account and now see what my benefits will be with some accuracy; from age 62 up to FRA and 70.

WEP is dead... https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-signs-social-security-fairness-221300757.html

Now that WEP repeal is finalised (whoop! whoop!), could people who have been WEP'ed/are being WEP'ed, or people in the middle of the WEP assessment process (submitting forms, etc.) keep us updated on any progress? It would be interesting to know what happens particularly in the following scenarios:

People who have been WEP'ed since Day 1 - please let us know when/if the WEP deductions cease, and whether there is any minor refund related to the actual date that WEP was repealed.

People who are in the process of submitting forms for WEP, do you receive any letters saying the process has been stopped/cancelled and no further action will be taken?

People who were not WEP'ed initially, but were WEP'ed after a lengthy delay and are paying back past debts, so to speak. There are at least two people on here who are in that situation. I'm one of them - it took SSA 20 months to finally process all the forms and start making WEP reductions (ironically just this past week!). Ostensibly, I "owe" SSA, so not only have they (supposedly) reduced my SSA by the amount it should have been WEP'ed, but also (supposedly) have made a further reduction to pay back what I "owe". I say "supposedly" because as per my recent post, the numbers don't make any sense. I'm curious whether SSA will continue making reductions until I pay what I "owe" (20 months of WEP), or whether there will be some sort of amnesty and I'll return to full SSA in the near future (I doubt it, but you can hope).

In the meantime, time to celebrate!

I certainly intend to keep this site updated on our personal situation.

My wife's SS was curtailed by over $300/month once she started drawing OAP. from what I understand she need do nothing and her payments should be adjusted to their non-WEP amounts plus she should a refund of WEP reductions for the calendar year 2024.

My own application has been in limbo for almost 2 months with the status online showing that it is being reviewed by an agent in London since November 12th. Hopefully that review is no longer required and the application will progress in due course.

Wilco.

As glad as I am to see this repealed, it potentially introduces another UK tax planning issue - at least for those of us who try to avoid the 40% tax bracket.  I try my best to avoid 40% by taking enough from my IRA, which when combined with US and UK state pensions, keeps me just behold the threshold.  A lump sum back payment from the SSA, while welcome, is going to keep me on my toes.  Mustn't grumble though!

Can someone please confirm/clarify if this applies only to public sector employees? Or does it apply to everyone who would be claiming SS?

Can someone please confirm/clarify if this applies only to public sector employees? Or does it apply to everyone who would be claiming SS?

It applies to everyone who is receiving SS or would claim for it.  WEP and GPO no longer exist.

Excellent news!