Social Security Fairness Act could restore benefits for millions, but policies still cause hardship

At 84 years old, Evelyn Paternostro spends her days working part time as a cashier at Dollar Tree. For decades, she dedicated her life to education, serving as a teacher and principal in Louisiana. But despite years of her public service, she now struggles to make ends meet.

"People at the store ask me all the time, 'Are you doing this for fun? Why aren't you retired?'" she said. "Because I need to eat."

After her husband died, Paternostro discovered she couldn't collect his Social Security benefits due to a pair of federal policies called the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.