Relief for Retirees Affected by WEP and GPO with Eddie Holland

For years, the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset reduced benefits for those who had rightfully earned them. Now that those policies are gone, many are left with questions. Eddie Holland joins us to help clarify what’s changed and what it means for your retirement.

Eddie Holland is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor and partner of Blue Trust in Greenville, South Carolina. He’s also a CPA, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®).

A Quick History of WEP and GPO

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), enacted over 40 years ago, reduces Social Security benefits for individuals receiving a non-covered pension—a pension from which no Social Security taxes were withheld. This often included employees in state and local government jobs, such as teachers, police officers, and firefighters.

Similarly, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced a spousal or survivor benefit for individuals in the same situation. These rules were designed to prevent “double-dipping,” but they often unfairly penalized modest-income workers, sometimes reducing their monthly Social Security checks by hundreds of dollars—or even eliminating their spousal or survivor benefits entirely.

The Social Security Fairness Act of 2025

That changed on January 5, 2025, when President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act. This legislation repealed both WEP and GPO, effective retroactively as of January 2024. As a result:

• Nearly 3 million Americans became eligible for retroactive benefits.
• Future monthly benefits for those affected have also been adjusted upward.

This marks a significant win for many retired public servants who had long felt the weight of these provisions.

What to Expect if You’re Affected

There are two phases of payments:

1. Retroactive Payments – Starting in March 2025, some individuals received large one-time deposits representing the benefits they should have received since January 2024. These payments often arrived with little to no explanation, leaving many confused.
    
2. Adjusted Monthly Benefits – Beginning in April 2025, Social Security began increasing ongoing monthly benefits for those impacted.

It’s important to note that these changes only apply to individuals with a non-covered pension, not all civil service employees.

Steps to Take if You Think You Qualify

If you believe these changes may apply to you, Eddie recommends two simple steps:

1. Check Your Account Online. Visit SSA.gov to log in to your account (or create one if you haven’t already).
    
2. Contact the Social Security Administration. If your account doesn’t show any updates or you have questions, call 1-800-772-1213 or schedule an appointment at your local SSA office to speak directly with an agent.

If navigating these changes feels overwhelming, consider consulting a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) who specializes in matters related to Social Security, who can help you make informed, faith-based financial decisions. You can find one in your area by visiting FaithFi.com and clicking “Find a Professional”. 

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I’m 60 years old and planning to retire early at 62. I’d also like to pay off my house before I retire. Is that a smart move, and is it realistic given my current financial situation?
• I understand that retiring before my full retirement age will result in a reduction of approximately 8% per year in my Social Security benefit. How do Social Security cost-of-living adjustments factor into that reduction?
• My grandson wants to be added as an authorized user on my credit card to take advantage of my good credit score so he can get a lower interest rate on a car loan. Is that a wise decision?
• At what age am I required to start taking distributions from my 401(k)? Also, I have two family members—one with dementia and another recovering from a stroke. How can we protect their assets, such as their house and 401(k), if they need long-term care?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Social Security Administration (SSA.gov)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.