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
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.