WEP and GPO Are Officially Repealed: What This Means for Your Social Security Benefits

In a major victory for retirees across the country, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) have officially been repealed. The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025, eliminating both provisions and restoring full Social Security benefits to millions of Americans. Even better—the repeal is retroactive to January 1, 2024.

What Were WEP and GPO?

For decades, WEP and GPO reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for retirees who also received a pension from non-covered employment—jobs that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These rules disproportionately affected teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public servants, many of whom split their careers between the public and private sectors.

• WEP reduced retirement or disability benefits for individuals who paid into a pension system but also earned Social Security credits.

• GPO reduced spousal and survivor benefits for those in similar circumstances.

What the Repeal Means

With the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act:

• WEP and GPO are fully repealed, eliminating the offset calculations that reduced or eliminated benefits.

• The repeal is retroactive to January 1, 2024, meaning individuals impacted by these provisions in 2024 and early 2025 will receive retroactive payments and adjusted monthly benefits going forward.

• The Social Security Administration (SSA) is actively working on recalculating benefits and issuing payments to affected beneficiaries.

Who Benefits from the Change?

The repeal restores full Social Security benefits to:

• Public employees who receive pensions from non-covered jobs and also earned Social Security credits.

• Surviving spouses or dependents who had previously seen their benefits reduced or eliminated due to the GPO.

• Retirees who worked in both public service and private industry and faced benefit reductions despite having earned eligibility under both systems.

What You Should Do

If you’ve been affected by WEP or GPO:

• Watch for communication from the SSA regarding your recalculated benefit and any retroactive payments.

• Review your Social Security statement to ensure your earnings and work history are accurate. https://www.ssa.gov/

• Consider updating your retirement plan with the new income expectations. A financial planner or Social Security specialist can help model the impact.

Bottom Line

The repeal of WEP and GPO is a monumental shift in Social Security policy, offering long-awaited relief and fairness to millions of Americans. If you’ve worked in public service or held jobs not covered by Social Security, this change could significantly improve your retirement income.

If you’re unsure how the repeal may affect your specific situation, let’s talk. We can walk through your updated Social Security projections and adjust your broader financial plan accordingly. https://www.rigdencapital.com/

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