A distant view shows a mountainous landscape with sloping peaks, green trees in the foreground, and a cloudy sky above.


<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Editor&#8217;s note (Feb. 27, 2025): Since this article was published, the Social Security Administration announced it is expediting processing for many cases and sending out retroactive benefit payments. View <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/social-security-administration-expediting-benefit-processing-for-those-affected-by-wep-gpo">our updated article</a> or visit <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html?tl=2%2C6%2C10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ssa.gov</a> for the latest information.</em></p>



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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Public employees hoping to see larger Social Security benefit payments following the repeal of the federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) may have a long wait.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While the Social Security Administration (SSA) hasn’t provided a timeline for when changes will take effect, officials are warning the process of recalculating and paying benefits for millions of beneficiaries will likely take a significant amount of time to complete—potentially a year or more.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">What we know so far</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Congress passed H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act, in late December and President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/president-biden-signs-wep-gpo-repeal-bill-into-law" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signed the bill in early January</a>. The bill repeals WEP and GPO, which for decades had reduced Social Security benefits for retirees who also received a pension for work not covered by Social Security.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As enacted, the bill applies to benefits payable after December 2023, meaning affected retirees who were already receiving Social Security benefits in 2024 will be owed back payments once their benefit is recalculated. So far, SSA hasn’t said whether those back payments for 2024 will come as a lump sum or be included in future benefit payments.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">Why the long timeline?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are a couple reasons why implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act could have an extended timeline, with staffing and funding being two of the biggest challenges.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to SSA, the agency is understaffed and has been under a hiring freeze since November 2024, meaning it is unable to bring on any additional staff to help with implementation or answering the phones. In addition, the Social Security Fairness Act did not include any funding to pay for any of the administrative costs associated with this significant change in federal law, SSA said.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Unless SSA receives additional funds or the staffing freeze is lifted, the agency will have to work within its current budget and staffing levels to complete all the changes required under the law.</p>



<h2 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size">How to stay in the loop</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Social Security Administration will continue to provide updates <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html?tl=2%2C6%2C10">on its website</a>, and more information should be available in the weeks and months ahead.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We will be closely monitoring this issue and will post updates on <em>PERA On The Issues</em> when available. To stay in the know, be sure to subscribe to the <a href="https://www.copera.org/pera-on-the-issues/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biweekly newsletter</a>.</p>


United States capitol in Washington DC with a Social Security card and money

Social Security Fairness Act Rollout Could Take A Year or More