Social Security WEP/GPO reduction percentage - based on initial filing date or current age?
I filed for SS retirement benefits at 62 back in 2022 but was denied for spousal benefits because of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset (my husband gets a pension from non-covered firefighter work). Now I'm 65 and considering reapplying. My question is: if I reapply now, would they calculate the reduction percentage based on my current age (65) or would they still use my original filing age (62)? The difference in monthly payment would be significant for our budget. I've heard rumors about a Fairness Act that might eliminate WEP/GPO - is that actually happening? Anyone dealt with this specific situation?
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Grant Vikers
The reduction would be based on your current age (65) when you reapply, not your original filing age. If you're eligible for benefits on your own record and your spouse's, the GPO will still reduce your spousal benefit by 2/3 of your government pension. The WEP reduction would also apply to your own benefit if you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings under Social Security. As for the Social Security Fairness Act to repeal WEP/GPO - it has been introduced many times but hasn't passed yet. I wouldn't make plans assuming it will change anytime soon.
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Amaya Watson
•Thank you for the clear explanation! That's a relief to hear they'll use my current age. Do you know if I'll need to bring any special documentation about my husband's pension when I reapply? Last time they seemed confused about how to calculate everything.
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Giovanni Martello
my wifes cousin got hit with the same thing!!! her husband was police for 25 years and she only worked part time at the school. she got almost nothing from ss even though she paid in for like 20 years. its totally UNFAIR!!!! the system is rigged against public employees
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Savannah Weiner
•While I understand the frustration, the WEP/GPO exists because those government jobs often don't pay into Social Security but have their own pension systems. The provision prevents what SSA calls "double-dipping" - getting full SS benefits plus a government pension from non-covered work. Whether that's fair or not is definitely debatable, which is why the Fairness Act keeps getting introduced, but Congress hasn't prioritized passing it.
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Levi Parker
I've been in almost the exact same boat with my wife's federal pension! We've been tracking the Social Security Fairness Act for years now. Got excited last year when it had so many co-sponsors but still didn't come up for a vote. So frustrating.
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Amaya Watson
•It's really hard waiting for them to maybe pass it someday! Have you found any other workarounds or strategies with the WEP/GPO situation?
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Levi Parker
•Not really any workarounds - the rules are pretty strict. But we did maximize her benefits by having her wait until her FRA to collect her own retirement benefit. The WEP reduction is less impactful at higher ages (it's a smaller percentage of the total benefit).
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Libby Hassan
FYI I've tried calling the Social Security office like 30 times to get a clear explanation of how WEP/GPO affects my specific situation and literally COULD NOT get through to anyone who could explain it. Kept getting transferred around until I eventually got disconnected. So infuriating!!!
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Hunter Hampton
•I had the same problem trying to reach SSA about my disability claim! Then I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual SSA agent in less than 10 minutes. It bypasses the hold system somehow. I was skeptical but it actually worked. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. It was such a relief to finally talk to someone who could actually answer my WEP questions.
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Sofia Peña
My sister got hit with this too! she's so mad about it she writes to our congressman every month. I think its actually working because he's a co-sponsor on that Fairness act now!
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Grant Vikers
To answer your original question more specifically: When you reapply at 65, SSA will calculate your benefit amount based on your current age of 65. This means you'll face a smaller early retirement reduction than you would have at 62 (about 13.3% reduction at 65 vs. 30% at 62). However, the WEP/GPO rules will still apply regardless of when you claim. The GPO will still reduce your spousal benefit by 2/3 of your government pension amount, and if WEP applies to your own benefit, it will reduce your benefit based on your years of substantial earnings under Social Security. If you're trying to maximize your benefit, waiting until your Full Retirement Age (66-67 depending on birth year) would eliminate the early retirement reduction completely, though WEP/GPO would still apply.
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Amaya Watson
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! One last question if you don't mind - do I need to withdraw my original application formally, or can I just submit a new one?
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Grant Vikers
•Since you were denied benefits the first time (rather than approved and receiving benefits), you don't need to withdraw anything. You'll simply submit a new application. Make sure to bring documentation of both your work history and your husband's pension information to help them calculate correctly.
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Savannah Weiner
Remember that any changes to the WEP formula would be based on your years of substantial earnings under Social Security. If you have 30+ years of substantial earnings, WEP doesn't apply at all. If you have 21-29 years, the WEP reduction is lessened. Might be worth checking if you're close to one of those thresholds. You can request your earnings record from SSA to verify your years of coverage.
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Giovanni Martello
anybody know what the fairness act actually says? will it be retroactive? my mom already retired 2 years ago and got screwed by wep
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Levi Parker
•From what I understand, the most recent version would phase out WEP/GPO over 5 years and would apply to both current and future beneficiaries. But honestly, it's been introduced so many times without passing that I'm not holding my breath.
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