Millions of public sector retirees in the U.S. are set to receive higher Social Security payments thanks to the repeal of two long-criticized laws — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These changes were officially enacted on January 5, 2025, under the Social Security Fairness Act.
But while the law is now in place, many people may have to wait months — or even up to a year — to see the full increase in their payments.
What Were WEP and GPO, and Why Were They Removed?
The WEP and GPO provisions were created to prevent public workers from receiving full Social Security benefits if they also received government pensions not covered by Social Security. The idea was to avoid what was seen as “double dipping.” However, over time, critics argued these rules unfairly reduced retirement income for millions of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants.
Some people lost more than 50% of their expected Social Security income due to these rules.
Thanks to the new law, these cuts have now been reversed.
How Much Will Retirees Gain?
The amount of the increase varies for each person. Here’s what to expect:
- Some retirees will see monthly increases between $200 and $500.
- Spouses or survivors who were affected by the GPO may receive 100% more in survivor benefits.
- Retroactive payments dating back to January 2024 could reach $5,000 or more, depending on the case.
However, no fixed amount is guaranteed, because the SSA has to manually review each person’s case, including their full work history and pension information.
Why Are the Payments Delayed?
Even though the law is active, the SSA says it will take time to process all the adjustments. The agency has to recalculate payments for over 3.2 million people. With a limited budget and staff shortages, the SSA warns that it could take up to 12 months, or even until the end of 2026, for some people to receive their full updated payments.
The SSA says it will prioritize requests that are filed early. But even those who act quickly may still face delays due to the volume of cases and limited technical resources.
What Should Affected Retirees Do Now?
If you think you are affected by the repeal of WEP or GPO, the SSA suggests taking these steps immediately:
- File a benefit adjustment request, even if you already receive Social Security.
- Gather documents like your work history, pension records, and previous Social Security statements.
- Explore financial alternatives if needed, such as withdrawing from IRAs or seeking help from local assistance programs.
- Speak to a retirement or Social Security advisor to help you understand your rights and benefits.
Will There Be More Changes to Social Security?
Experts say that repealing WEP and GPO could lead to bigger reforms in the Social Security system. Some of the options being discussed include:
- Raising taxes on higher-income earners
- Increasing the retirement age
- Expanding benefits for lower-income retirees
There is also concern about the Social Security Trust Fund, which is expected to start running low by 2034. If no action is taken, the government may have to reduce payments, raise the retirement age, or find new funding sources.
Groups like the National Association of Public Retirees are calling on Congress to provide more funding to the SSA. They want to make sure payment systems run smoothly and avoid delays or future cuts.