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Published: January 9, 2025
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Because of your advocacy, we successfully repealed both GPO and WEP.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We answer your questions about the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed GPO and WEP
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.
You Made this Victory Possible
We worked for decades to correct this injustice, and we won.
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VOTE YES on GPO/WEP Repeal
Submitted on December 13, 2024
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Fully Repeal GPO/WEP
Submitted on November 19, 2024
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House lame-duck priorities
Submitted on November 12, 2024
Bills in Congress
Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
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Support
S 2280 Social Security 2100 Act of 2023 www.congress.gov
Introduced on July 12, 2023
A bill to protect our Social Security system and improve benefits for current and future generations.
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Support
HR 4583 Social Security 2100 Act of 2023 www.congress.gov
Introduced on July 12, 2023
A bill to protect our Social Security system and improve benefits for current and future generations.
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Support
HR 4260 Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act of 2023 www.congress.gov
Introduced on June 21, 2023
A bill that would amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide an equitable Social Security formula for individuals with noncovered employment and to provide relief for individuals currently affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Helpful Resources
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.
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.
Talking Points
These bullet points break down GPO and WEP and the bills that would repeal them.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
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Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
Learn more about NEA-Retired
Now more than ever the commitment continues. Learn how NEA-Retired works to meet the needs of retired education employees (like Sam Evelyn Rock from the Chattanooga Hamilton County Retired Teachers Assn in Tennessee at right) and how to join.
