WEP and GPO — WEP
WEP and GPO are old rules that reduced Social Security for some workers with public pensions. The Social Security Fairness Act repealed both starting in 2024.
Official source: ssa.gov
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) were old rules that could make your Social Security checks smaller. These rules affected people who also got a pension from a job where they did not pay Social Security taxes. This often included teachers, police officers, and other public workers. Before 2024, if you had one of these pensions and also earned Social Security benefits, WEP or GPO might have lowered your Social Security payment. This happened so you would not get what the government saw as an unfair advantage from having two types of benefits. The GPO rule meant your own Social Security benefit could be lowered if you got a government pension. It also lowered spousal or survivor benefits if your spouse received certain government pensions. The WEP rule could reduce your Social Security check if you received a pension from a job that did not pay Social Security taxes. These rules often made it harder for affected workers and their families to get the full Social Security benefits they expected. If you were affected by WEP or GPO before 2024, you might have received less money each month. In 2024, the Social Security Fairness Act got rid of both WEP and GPO. This means they no longer apply. If you retired after 2024, these rules will not affect your Social Security. If you had your benefits reduced by WEP or GPO before 2024, your Social Security checks may now be larger. You can check your Social Security statement online to see your updated benefits. Go to the Social Security Administration website and create an account or log in. This will show you how much money you can expect to get each month.
In real life
- A retired teacher who lost benefits to WEP can now receive their full Social Security.
- Maria worked for the state for years and also paid into Social Security from a different job. Thanks to the new law, she gets all her earned Social Security money, not less.
- John was a police officer for decades and expected less Social Security because of his pension. Now, he'll get his full Social Security check without any reduction.
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Frequently asked questions about WEP and GPO
What is WEP and GPO?+
WEP and GPO are old rules that reduced Social Security for some workers with public pensions. The Social Security Fairness Act repealed both starting in 2024.
Who qualifies for WEP and GPO?+
Workers who have earned enough Social Security credits, plus eligible spouses and survivors.
How do I apply for WEP and GPO?+
Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. There's no cost to apply. Official forms and instructions: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html.
Where can I get help?+
Create a free account at ssa.gov/myaccount to check your earnings record and benefit estimate. BenefitKarma's free Benefit Eligibility Screener can also point you to the right Social Security program.
Source: ssa.gov