Social Security Ends WEP and GPO – What It Means for You

Big news: The Social Security Fairness Act has been signed into law, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions previously reduced Social Security benefits for individuals receiving government pensions from jobs that did not participate in Social Security—such as many Texas teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees.

With the repeal of WEP and GPO, affected individuals are now eligible for increased Social Security benefits, including potential retroactive payments dating back to January 2024.

Does This Affect You?

You may benefit from this change if:

✅ You receive a government pension (e.g., from the Texas Teacher Retirement System) and previously had your Social Security benefits reduced due to WEP.

✅ You were impacted by the GPO, which reduced spousal or survivor Social Security benefits because of your pension.

✅ You worked at least 10 years (40 quarters) in a Social Security-covered job before, during, or after your government employment but saw your benefits reduced under WEP.

If any of these situations apply, this change could increase your Social Security benefits, including retroactive payments.

What Should You Do?

1️⃣ Stay Informed

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has an official page with updates on the WEP and GPO repeal: SSA WEP/GPO Repeal Update. There, you can:

Read an FAQ answering common questions.
Subscribe to receive updates when new information is posted.

2️⃣ Ensure Your Information Is Up-to-Date

Your contact details.
Your direct deposit information.

This will ensure you receive any adjusted benefits or retroactive payments as soon as they are processed.

3️⃣ Consider Earning Social Security Credits If You Haven’t Yet Qualified

If you haven’t yet earned 40 Social Security credits (10 years of work in a Social Security-covered job), this change makes it more valuable to do so. Working in a part-time job, summer work, or self-employment that pays into Social Security can help you qualify for benefits.

Additionally, if you’ve already claimed Social Security but continue working and earn more than a lower-earning year in your benefit calculation, your monthly payments could increase.

When Will Benefits Be Adjusted?

The law applies retroactively to January 2024.
However, due to funding and staffing constraints, SSA has indicated that processing increases and retroactive payments may take over a year.
Retroactive payments will likely be issued as a lump sum for the months owed.

Next Steps

This change is a major shift in Social Security policy and creates new opportunities for retirement planning. If you’d like to discuss how this impacts your financial picture, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help you evaluate your options.

Photo by Keith Tanner on Unsplash