Southern States PBA
Social Security Fairness Act
(H.R. 82)
Protects Retired Officers’ Financial Security: Ensures that retired police officers receive their full-earned Social Security benefits, providing a stable income after years of dedicated service.
Acknowledges Public Safety Contributions: Recognizes the unique sacrifices police officers make to protect communities by eliminating unfair benefit reductions.
Fixes Windfall Effect: Addresses the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which penalizes police officers who worked part of their careers in jobs covered by Social Security, reducing their benefits unfairly.
Supports Surviving Families: Eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduces or eliminates spousal and survivor benefits, ensuring that families of fallen officers receive adequate support.
Encourages Recruitment and Retention: Makes law enforcement careers more attractive by guaranteeing fair retirement benefits, helping departments address recruitment and retention challenges.
Prevents Hardship in Retirement: Addresses the financial struggles many retired officers face, especially those who depend on both a government pension and Social Security.
Recognizes Dual Service: Many police officers serve in Social Security-covered second jobs or military roles during their careers. H.R. 82 ensures these contributions are fully honored.
Restores Trust in Government: Demonstrates that the federal government values police officers' service by fixing these inequities.
Bipartisan Appeal: Reflects widespread support across political lines, reinforcing the urgency of addressing this issue for officers nationwide.
Garrett Graves (R-LA 6th)Press Release
Abigail Spanberger (D-VA 7th) Press Release
May 6, 2026
Hayden Linton was born in San Diego, California but has called Rogers, Arkansas home since the age of three when his dad retired from the Navy. His hometown offers a powerful sense of community that Hayden appreciates. "No matter where you go or what you are doing, you will always be greeted by happy people, with a smile on their face. In Rogers as a kid, it was also very rare to be bored." He continues, "We have countless hidden gems behind every corner that make this city so entertaining to live in and so easy to call home."
moreApril 29, 2026
To say Hannah Williams is actively active might be an understatement. She is one of 20 students across 11 SSPBA divisions to receive a PBF scholarship this year through a parent's membership in PBA. Her stepfather is Robert J. Maxbauer III, a K9 handler of K9 J�ger at Louisburg (N.C.) Police Department for almost a year.
moreApril 22, 2026
Jackson Patterson is a freshman at the University of South Alabama with several big ambitions. He's just not sure which ones he will follow yet. "Right now, my biggest challenge is deciding what I want my future to look like," he told me. He's studying engineering, and it's possible that he chooses to go straight into building a career in the aerospace industry after college. But it's also possible that he takes an even more interesting path ? he's interested in traveling the world and performing on stage, for example ? because if one thing's for sure about Jackson, it's that he's willing to branch out and try new things that he finds exciting ? even if they're unconventional.
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