Congress has passed a bill that would allow public workers who receive a pension to also collect social security benefits.

Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown said during a recent floor debate that people who paid into Social Security for the required amount of time should receive their full benefits.

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces Social Security for those who earn “non-covered” pension income their jobs, which are typically public sector roles, that didn’t contribute Social Security payroll taxes. Those workers can lose up to half the pension amount.

Law enforcement groups praised the passage of a bill that would restores Social Security benefits to former public sector workers who also receive pension payments.

Social Security is an earned benefit. You become eligible by paying the payroll tax during your working years, and the amount you get is geared to your wage history - with a glaring exception.