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NEA Issue Explainer

Retirement Security

Because of your advocacy, we successfully repealed both GPO and WEP.
NEA-Retired Members at NEA's Annual Meeting Gerald Lillard
By: National Education Association
Published: January 9, 2025
This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

For decades, more than 2.8 million people dedicated to public service, including many educators, had their Social Security benefits reduced—or lose them entirely—due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

  • The WEP reduced the Social Security benefits of people who work in jobs covered by Social Security and jobs NOT covered by Social Security over the course of their careers—for example, educators compelled to take part-time or summer jobs to make ends meet.
  • The GPO reduced—or eliminated—the Social Security spousal or survivor benefits of people who also get a pension based on federal, state, or local government employment NOT covered by Social Security.

Because of your advocacy, we successfully repealed both GPO and WEP.

When can I expect my full Social Security payment?

We answer your questions about the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed GPO and WEP
Read our FAQ
Meg Gruber stands near flowers outside the NEA building in Washington DC

How does the repeal of GPO and WEP affect you?

We are collecting stories of people who have been or would have been affected by lost Social Security.
Tell Us Your Story
NEA members pose as a group with a sign that says repeal GPO/WEP

You Made this Victory Possible

We worked for decades to correct this injustice, and we won.
See how we did it

Helpful Resources

Calculator

WEP Calculator

If you are expecting to receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security, it may reduce the amount of Social Security benefits we can pay you.
Calculate

GPO Calculator

The Government Pension Offset, or GPO, affects spouses, widows, and widowers with pensions from a federal, state, or local government job. It reduces their Social Security benefits in some cases.
Get Started
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Talking Points

These bullet points break down GPO and WEP and the bills that would repeal them.
Read more

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