When retired educator Debra Sheehan checked her balance online in early March to see if she had the money to pay her wireless phone bill, the CTA/NEA-Retired vice president made a shocking discovery: a $44,000 deposit from Social Security – courtesy of the Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law in January. 

 “I probably cried for an hour. I was thinking ‘who’s pranking me?’” says Sheehan, who taught second and third grade for Capistrano Unified School District for 20 years. “I’m still speechless. It’s like someone took 50 pounds off my shoulders.” 

Debra Sheehan

The long-awaited passage and adoption of the law ended the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which have unfairly reduced Social Security payments for educators and other public employees for more than 40 years. With the stroke of President Biden’s pen, more than 2.8 million public workers (and their survivors) received more of the money they already put into the system. The amounts are life changing. 

“I can pay off my bills. I’m so grateful for the people who fought so long for this,” Sheehan says. “If we can win this fight, just think what else we can accomplish. This gives me a feeling of confidence and courage that whatever insane thing is coming at us every day, we can react, organize and make things happen.” 

 Educators in 26 states including California will see an average monthly increase of $360 in their Social Security benefits, depending on their employment history, according to NEA. Retired CTA member Krista Patterson will see $1,300 more per month in addition to the $20,700 lump payment she received in March. 

 “It’s a good chunk of money but we were even more excited about the increase in our monthly amount,” says Patterson, a former elementary teacher in Scotts Valley. “I subbed for the last three years and this means I won’t have to do that anymore … It’s such a good feeling not just for us, but for everyone. It affects 3 million people – that’s huge!” 

 For four decades, public employees in 26 states have been subject to punitive and discriminatory measures that reduced their Social Security benefits. The GPO and WEP robbed educators of the retirement income they earned since 1977 and 1983, respectively. In December, Congress finally voted to fully repeal the laws, ending a marathon of activism by union educators across the country. 

 “I always had hope. It was such an important issue that was affecting so many people and the unfairness of it all really made me want to win this,” says Ed Foglia, CTA president from 1978 to 1982 and 1986 to 1992. 

Ed Foglia, CTA President from 1978-82 and 1986-92.

Foglia served on the NEA Executive Committee when the laws were implemented, working for decades to urge lawmakers to repeal GPO and WEP. Visiting lawmakers in D.C., writing letters, sending emails and making phone calls for years and years, Foglia says this historic victory is a shining example of the Power of Us. 

 “If it wasn’t for NEA and CTA, this would’ve never happened. This is a victory because we are a union that cares and has a program of advocacy that has made it possible for us to get this victory – our union!” says Foglia.  

“The victory only happened through the tireless advocacy of educators and other public service workers. NEA members made nearly half a million calls and sent emails to members of Congress, demanding they repeal these unjust laws. NEA and CTA members also lobbied lawmakers in Washington and in offices here in California, sharing their personal stories of how these laws have unjustly penalized them and their families.” 

 The fight for justice had gone on for so long, many didn’t expect GPO and WEP to ever be repealed, especially in our ultra-polarized political climate. Patterson says she was shocked that it made such quick progress after years without much movement. 

 “When we fight, we win. If we keep trying, eventually we will be successful,” she says. “Don’t give up. That’s even more important with the current administration.” 

President Joe Biden and CTA President David Goldberg at the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act at The White House.

 Foglia says it’s fulfilling to see this victory affect so many people in such a positive way – especially when President Trump is wreaking havoc on our structures and livelihoods. He urged members to keep that “never quit” attitude and maintain the fight to protect each other, our students and our democracy. 

 “Good things don’t come easy – you have to work to make things happen. As an advocate, you don’t get to pick how long you fight for something. We keep fighting until we win,” says Foglia, urging all members to get involved. “Our unions, CTA and NEA, are here for us. We need to be a part of the fight. The only way we can be successful is if our members believe in our union and are willing to work for it.”