The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) are penalties that negatively impact educators and others who may or may not participate in Social Security system and receive pensions from municipal government agencies. While employment as a Connecticut educator is not included in Social Security, second jobs, previous employment, and spousal contributions are significantly reduced by these provisions.
WEP/GPO Overview
GPO – Government Pension Offset
The GPO, passed in 1977, reduces by two-thirds, the Social Security spousal or survivor benefits of more than 1 million teachers and other public employees who receive their pension through a system like the Connecticut Teachers’ Retirement System that is not covered by social security.
- Teacher’s pension = $4,000/month
- Reduced by 2/3 = $2,666 cut from Social
Security spousal benefit - In most cases that’s more than the spousal Social Security benefit, so teachers receive 0
WEP – Windfall Elimination Provision
WEP, passed in 1983, reduces the earned Social Security benefits of more than 2 million retired educators and other public sector workers in Connecticut and across the country, sometimes stealing as much as half of the amount they have earned.
For second career educators or those who work a second job outside of teaching where they pay into the Social Security system, WEP cuts up to half the total amount they receive from Social Security when they retire. Only those second career educators who have 30 or more years of substantial social security-covered employment are not impacted.
Videos
December Update: Repeal WEP GPO Before Time Runs Out!
2024/12/19 12:01:00
**Some slides contain typographical errors
2.5 million people including educators, firefighters, police officers, and other public sector jobs across the country are impacted.
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.
Related Articles
December 13, 2024
After 40 years of fighting, the U.S. Senate is finally scheduled to vote next week on repealing the unjust Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which would at long last give teachers the Social Security benefits they deserve.
December 11, 2024
“I am here to tell you—we are going to call the vote!” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced to a crowd including CEA President Kate Dias and Vice President Joslyn DeLancey gathered outside the U.S. Capitol.
December 10, 2024
Take action today to urge U.S. Senators to repeal WEP/GPO once and for all. Time is very short, and we must act now before the Senate’s holiday break.
November 13, 2024
The U.S. House of Representatives took a historic step by voting to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Now, it’s the U.S. Senate’s turn to make this repeal a reality.
September 19, 2024
As of this afternoon 218 members of Congress have signed on to a discharge petition for a bill to repeal WEP/GPO, meeting the threshold that ensures the bill will come up for a vote in Congress.
September 9, 2024
Contact your Congressperson! At least 218 members of Congress must sign the petition to move legislation to repeal WEP/GPO forward for a vote.
2023 Congressional Bills
Partnerships
Media Chronicles
