WEP-GPO Repeal Update: The Pressure is on for Timely Implementation - House Ways and Means
While the argument continues to rage following last week’s official signing of the Social Security Fairness Act into law, the House Ways and Means Committee has called for immediate relief for those affected by the repeal. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Ron Estes (KS-04) penned a letter to SSA Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin calling for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to “implement the law as quickly and as smoothly as possible to provide needed and timely relief to those who have been unfairly harmed by these policies.” Check out the press release from Ways and Means here for more information.
The letter, a link to which is included in the press release, calls for SSA to produce an implementation plan by January 17, 2025, and provide guidance on actions that affected beneficiaries need to take to ensure their additional benefits are paid appropriately. Along with a timeline, SSA is asked to identify resources that will be made available during the transition away from the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
SSA has posted the following announcement on its website landing page: The Social Security Fairness Act, HR 82, concerning the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, was signed into law on January 5, 2025. Upon implementation, the Social Security Fairness Act eliminates the reduction of Social Security benefits while entitled to public pensions from work not covered by Social Security. The Social Security Administration is evaluating how to implement the Act. We will provide more information as soon as available.
Regarding the continuing arguments on WEP-GPO Repeal, check out the examples noted in today’s Latest News post on this site.
It can’t happen fast enough. I was caught in the great recession of 2008 2010 in the state of Nevada where one out of every 4 to 5 houses was in foreclosure. I was terminated with a statewide mandate that state employees had to reduce their workforce by 30% my home which was worth 400,000 in equity. I was lucky to realize 49,000 my retirement at that time since I was late to working full-time due to a divorce was 1100 a month whip is not fair and equitable about percentage. Mine was reduced to $400. I lived on $1500 a month for years with a mortgage. When Medicare became available as I aged, it was reduced another $108 I make between $25-$50 too much to qualify for food stamps or any sort of assistance. I am now 75 years old when the extra money is received will be life-changing for me
Carole,
We are most happy that repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or the Government Pension Offset (GPO) will make a positive difference in your life. Rest assured that Social Security is doing everything possible to restore benefits for those affected by H.R. 82 – The Social Security Fairness Act. They simply need time to make sure everyone affected will now be receiving the correct monthly benefit amount. Social Security was simply not prepared for this legislation to pass (it had failed numerous times previously) and now must recalculate benefits for over 2 million beneficiaries. Our understanding is that if you are currently receiving reduced benefits, your higher benefit will happen automatically and, hopefully, within the next few months.
We wish you the best going forward.
Regards,
Russell Gloor
Certified Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Concerning the problem of implementation of the H.R. 82 ACT, being that some will have to wait over a year for the back money and increase on money check-I guess that since I am a widower under the GPO and will be 101 years old on May 24, 2025, I should not look forward to mine. What the politicians/government did with that hard earned money back in the 1960’s and 1970’s is a good question. I guess they never thought this ACT would never be repealed.
Unfortunately, they have until December of 2025. Knowing the government, we will get it on December 31, 2025.