Millions of retired public workers, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters, are celebrating a long-awaited victory. President Joe Biden recently signed the Social Security Fairness Act, a major piece of legislation that repeals two controversial rules—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These rules previously slashed Social Security benefits for individuals who received pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security.
Now, with these provisions removed, over 2.5 million retirees can expect an average monthly boost of $360 starting in 2025. Here’s what you need to know about the changes, who qualifies, and how to make sure you get the benefits you deserve.
Why Was the Law Changed?
The WEP and GPO were originally designed to prevent individuals from receiving overly generous Social Security benefits if they also had pensions from jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security. However, many retirees and advocates argued that these provisions unfairly penalized public servants, reducing their hard-earned benefits simply because of their profession.
For example, a retired teacher who spent years contributing to Social Security through other jobs may have seen their Social Security payments reduced because they also received a state pension. Similarly, a spouse or widow of a public worker could lose spousal or survivor benefits due to the GPO.
The new law eliminates these reductions, ensuring that public servants get the full benefits they have earned.
Who Will Benefit?
This law primarily impacts:
- Retired Public Employees: Workers who earned a pension from federal, state, or local government jobs not covered by Social Security, but who also worked in Social Security-covered jobs.
- Teachers: Educators in states where public schools didn’t participate in Social Security.
- First Responders: Firefighters, police officers, and other emergency personnel previously affected by these provisions.
- Spouses and Survivors: Family members who lost or received reduced Social Security benefits due to the GPO.
The changes will result in an average monthly increase of $360 for WEP-affected beneficiaries. For individuals affected by the GPO, the increases are even higher: spousal benefits will rise by an average of $700 per month, while surviving spouses could see $1,190 more in their checks.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for these new benefits, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Social Security Contributions: You must have worked enough years in jobs that paid into Social Security or qualify through your spouse’s work history.
- Government Pension: You should have a pension from non-Social Security-covered government work.
- Benefit Reductions: Your Social Security benefits must have been reduced in the past due to the WEP or GPO.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically review your case. You can also log in to your “my Social Security” account to verify your details.
What’s Next?
The SSA is now working to implement the law, with higher payments expected to roll out by December 2025. If you’re already receiving benefits reduced by WEP or GPO, there’s no need to take immediate action—just ensure your contact and direct deposit information are up to date.
For those who haven’t filed for benefits yet, but have a government pension, it’s important to apply for Social Security as soon as you become eligible.
A Step Toward Fairness
While the Social Security Fairness Act has been widely celebrated, it comes with financial implications. The repeal is projected to cost $196 billion over the next decade, slightly accelerating the depletion of Social Security’s trust funds. Despite these concerns, the law addresses decades of inequality faced by public servants, many of whom sacrificed high-paying jobs for the sake of community service.
Stay tuned for updates from the SSA on how the changes will be rolled out. In the meantime, retirees affected by the WEP and GPO can finally look forward to receiving the full benefits they worked so hard to earn.
