The Social Security Fairness Act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, restoring full Social Security benefits for many public employees with government pensions.

Key Takeaways:

• The Social Security Fairness Act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, restoring full Social Security benefits for many public employees with government pensions.

• Retroactive payments are already being distributed automatically by the Social Security Administration.

• Pension plan administrators should update communications, education materials, and planning tools to help members navigate these changes.

On January 5, 2025, a long-anticipated shift in retirement policy became law. The Social Security Fairness Act repealed two provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — that reduced Social Security benefits for public servants who also receive a government pension.

If you manage a state or local government pension plan, this change directly affects your retirees — and your operations. Here's what you need to know to support your members and keep your plan aligned with the new landscape.

What Changed and Why It Matters

For decades, the WEP and GPO created a financial penalty for public employees who split their careers between Social Security-covered and non-covered employment. These provisions reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for individuals who also received a...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1gFBVV95cUxQN0VXN3EwVVptVG5BajhDd2RR...