When public employees dedicate their lives to serving their communities—as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers—they deserve a secure retirement. Yet, two federal provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—undermine that promise for millions of public workers. These policies unfairly penalize retirees, reducing or eliminating Social Security benefits they’ve earned, leaving them financially vulnerable.
It’s time to understand the harm caused by WEP and GPO and why repealing these provisions is critical.
What Are WEP and GPO?
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces the Social Security benefits of retirees who split their careers between jobs covered by Social Security and jobs with a public pension. Instead of receiving the full amount of Social Security benefits based on their contributions, WEP uses a different formula that unfairly penalizes public employees.
For example, a teacher who worked part-time in a Social Security-covered job and also earned a pension as an educator may see their Social Security benefits reduced, even though they paid into the system just like any other worker.
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) affects Social Security spousal or survivor benefits. If a public employee receives a pension from a job not covered by Social Security, their spousal or survivor benefits can be reduced—often entirely eliminated. This disproportionately impacts former dual-income households who depend on survivor benefits to make ends meet.
The Harmful Impact of WEP and GPO
The effects of WEP and GPO are devastating for retirees, especially women. Women, who are more likely to take time out of the workforce for caregiving, often rely on spousal or survivor benefits to supplement their income in retirement. Under GPO, many find these benefits reduced to $0, leaving them in a precarious financial situation.
Similarly, WEP penalizes workers who have served in Social Security-covered jobs, effectively treating their public service as a “windfall” rather than the essential work it is. This is not only unfair but also demoralizing for the public servants who have worked tirelessly for their communities.
Why Repeal Matters
Repealing WEP and GPO isn’t just about fairness—it’s about honoring the contributions of public workers. These individuals have paid into Social Security, either directly or indirectly, and deserve the same benefits as any other worker.
Key reasons for repeal:
- 1. Economic Security: Ensures retirees have the financial resources they need to live with dignity.
- 2. Equity for Public Workers: Treats public employees fairly, regardless of the retirement system they contribute to.
- 3. Recruitment and Retention: Encourages talented individuals to pursue public service careers without fear of financial penalties in retirement.
Take Action Today!
There’s great news: bipartisan support for repealing WEP and GPO is growing, and the House recently passed the repeal! But now, it’s time to urge the Senate to act. Real change depends on people like you stepping up. Here’s how you can help:
- 1. Contact Your Senators
Use our pre-written letter to send a message directly to your senators and urge them to take action. Every voice matters!
- 2. Stay Informed
Sign up for our daily news clips to stay updated on the latest developments in the fight to repeal WEP & GPO.
- 3. Spread the Word
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram, share our posts, and encourage your friends and family to join the fight!
A Call for Justice
Public service should be celebrated, not penalized. WEP and GPO are outdated policies that harm the very workers who make our communities stronger and safer. By joining together and advocating for repeal, we can ensure a fairer retirement system for all public employees.
Let’s stand up for fairness. Let’s stand up for justice. Let’s repeal WEP and GPO.
Take action today by contacting your lawmakers and making your voice heard.