Social Security update

Those subjected to WEP, GPO can expect retroactive pay by end of March

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

Feb. 26, 2025 – The Social Security Administration said this week that retirement benefit recipients who had been subjected to the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset can expect to receive retroactive benefits by the end of March.

The two Social Security provisions were repealed in early January when former President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act. The legislation provided for a lump sum payment back to January 2024 for those whose retirement benefits had been reduced by the provisions last year.

Earlier this month the administration said it was unclear when the retroactive payments would be made and when the monthly benefit amount would be updated, and that it could take a year or more to adjust to the new law.

But the administration now says it has begun making the retroactive payments this week and that “if a beneficiary is due retroactive benefits as a result of the Act, they will receive a one-time retroactive payment, deposited into the bank account SSA has on file, by the end of March. The retroactive payment will cover the increase in their benefit amount back to January 2024, the month when WEP and GPO no longer apply.”

Those who are to receive a retroactive payment and whose monthly benefit is adjusted can expect to receive mailed notices from Social Security advising them of the changes. The administration has asked recipients to wait until April to inquire about those changes because it will be making them incrementally throughout March.

It says the new benefit amounts will be begin in April “for their March payment.”

Social Security also says it will take applications by telephone for people who did not previously apply for retirement benefits because of the WEP, or for spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits because of the GPO.

If you meet those conditions, you’re encouraged to call 1-800-772-1213 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?” say “Fairness Act.” You’ll be asked a few questions, and your answers will help the administration connect you to a WEP-GPO-trained representative to take your claim.

You also may file online at the Social Security Administration’s website. (The survivor benefit is not available online.)

The Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed the provisions, applies to the benefits that some OPERS members receive – those who also worked in the private sector and thus paid into Social Security retirement. These benefits include retirement or disability benefits, and also spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits on another person’s Social Security record.

OPERS worked for many years to draw attention to these provisions because of their importance to our members.

There’s more information available on the Social Security’s website regarding the Social Security Fairness Act. Again, these were Social Security provisions, not OPERS provisions, and the only way you can receive the benefits you may be entitled to is to work through Social Security.

Michael Pramik

Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.