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
April 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.
moreApril 15, 2026
South Fulton County police Capt. Helio A. Garcia III was born with the calling to law enforcement, a 15-year career he devoted his life to after serving his country as a U.S. Marine.
moreFebruary 17, 2026
On January 23, 2026, the County Court of Hinds County, Miss. issued an order of civil contempt against the Mississippi Department of Corrections in a case filed on behalf of PBA member Mary Hoyt.
more