Jack Loop, a district retiree attending the meeting, told board members he had helped advocate for passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which changes the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) rules that had reduced Social Security benefits for certain public employees.

Loop described the long effort and said the House and Senate votes reflected bipartisan support after multiple attempted amendments were defeated. He thanked local advocates and organizational partners who lobbied in Washington, D.C.

Board President Green told the group he had spoken with staff in Senator Kennedy’s office and had been told, as of his conversation, that any payments would be retroactive to when the bill was introduced in 2023 and that affected retirees should expect retroactive payments for 2024 when distributions are made.

Several board members — including Mr. Breaux and Mr. Cousan — spoke about local impacts and thanked Loop and other advocates for their work. Board members noted the board had sent a resolution to Congress supporting the issue and had endorsed the change.

No formal board action was recorded on the Social Security matter during the meeting; board members described the item as a community recognition and celebration of federal legislation.