Social Security WEP/GPO offset affecting my survivor benefits - confused about retroactive payments

im in almost the exact same situation (teacher's pension from TX, survivor benefits from my husband). i applied last month and asked the SAME question!!! They told me that IF the WEP/GPO gets repealed, they would NOT automatically adjust my past payments. They said i would have to specifically request a review!!! which makes no sense to me because they should just fix it automatically. so frustrating!!! but at least apply asap cause then u get the max retroactive period possible!

Just so you know, you can't count on the WEP/GPO repeal happening. They've been trying to repeal it for YEARS and it never gets through. I also have a state pension (30+ years in public works) and lost 2/3 of my SS benefits because of it. The SSA reps have no idea what will happen with retroactive benefits because Congress hasn't even passed anything yet. Best advice - plan as if the repeal won't happen, and if it does, treat it as a bonus.

To answer your specific question about retroactive benefits: If WEP/GPO is repealed, how those retroactive payments would be handled would depend entirely on the specific language in the legislation. Some potential outcomes: 1. The legislation could specify that benefits are only adjusted going forward from the effective date 2. It could allow for recalculation of benefits previously paid during a specific lookback period 3. It could create a special one-time adjustment for those already receiving reduced benefits Currently, the most prominent bill (Social Security Fairness Act) doesn't specify exactly how retroactive benefits would be handled. You are entitled to retroactive survivor benefits for up to 6 months from your application date, but these would be calculated using current rules with GPO applied. I recommend submitting a written statement with your application specifically noting that you wish to preserve your right to any retroactive adjustments should the law change during the period covered by your retroactive benefits. This creates a record in your file that might help if favorable legislation passes.

I went through this exact process last year with my teacher's pension and survivor benefits. The important thing to understand is that retroactive benefits for survivor claims can go back 6 months from your application date, but no further. In your case, since you applied in January 2024, the earliest month you could receive benefits for would be July 2023. Regarding the WEP/GPO repeal question: The SSA doesn't make these determinations until legislation actually passes. Every bill has different implementation rules. But based on past legislative changes to Social Security, if a repeal happens, it would likely include specific language about whether the changes apply retroactively. My advice: Make sure your application is fully processed now to lock in your retroactive period. Then stay informed about the legislation - if it passes, contact SSA immediately to request a review as the other commenter mentioned.

WAIT you might be missing something important here!!! Did the rep look at BOTH options? Sometimes switching to survivor benefits isn't the best move even with WEP/GPO! My wife's survivor benefit after GPO was actually LESS than her own retirement benefit after WEP! The calculations are completely different. Make sure they showed you BOTH amounts with the reductions applied!

One additional detail: retroactive payments for widow/widower benefits can actually go back up to 12 months (not just 6) if it would result in a higher benefit amount than taking your retirement benefit. This is one of the exceptions to the normal 6-month retroactive limit. However, this depends on your full retirement age and when you applied for your own benefits originally. Also, be aware that if your teacher's pension didn't require you to pay into Social Security (many don't), the GPO reduction is typically 2/3 of your pension amount. For example, if your monthly pension is $3,000, your Social Security survivor benefit would be reduced by $2,000. If you're having trouble getting answers from SSA, I recommend writing down all your questions and bringing them to your local office. Phone representatives often have less specialized knowledge about complex WEP/GPO situations than the technical experts at field offices.

one more thing - make SURE u get the repeal info from SSA directly if it happens!! my neighbor thought it was repealed last year because of some facebook post she saw and it was TOTALLY FALSE!!! she went to SSA all excited and they had to tell her it was fake news!!! there's sooooo much misinformation about WEP/GPO repeal!!

To address your follow-up question about wording for a written statement: Keep it simple and factual. Something like: "I am applying for survivor benefits on January 8, 2024. I understand these benefits are currently reduced due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO). I am requesting that if legislation is enacted that modifies or repeals the GPO during the period covered by my retroactive benefits, that my benefits be recalculated accordingly. I would like this statement to be included as part of my application record." Sign and date it, and ask for a copy with a receipt stamp. This won't guarantee anything, but it creates a record of your request that could be helpful depending on how any future legislation is worded.