Social Security WEP/GPO repeal - Do I need to reapply for spousal benefits?

The WEP/GPO repeal is the best thing to happen for us public servants in decades!!! I've been watching this legislation like a hawk and from what I understand, SSA will NOT automatically recalculate anything - you NEED to contact them after the repeal goes into effect. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with these people. Be prepared for them to have NO CLUE what you're talking about when you call though.

I'm in a similar situation (retired police, drawing SS since 2011) and have been researching this question everywhere. From what I've gathered, the deemed filing that occurred in 2012 means you were technically already applied for spousal benefits, but they were reduced or eliminated by GPO. When the repeal takes effect, SSA should theoretically recalculate your benefit without the GPO reduction automatically. However, I wouldn't trust them to do this without prompting. My plan is to contact them after the repeal takes effect to ensure my benefits are properly recalculated. I'd suggest keeping documentation of your original application if you have it, which would show you applied for all benefits you were eligible for at that time.

my friend's wife had the same problem with wep gpo. she called ss like 5 times and finally got someone who knew what they were talking about. apparently your benefits don't automatically change you have to ask them to recalculate. good luck getting through to them tho!! took her weeks of calling

The WEP/GPO repeal is going to create a massive workload for SSA. I've been helping clients prepare for this change, and here's what you need to know: 1. Yes, you were subject to deemed filing in 2012, which means you technically applied for both retirement and spousal benefits at that time. 2. However, the GPO likely reduced your spousal benefits significantly or eliminated them entirely. 3. When the repeal takes effect, SSA will need to recalculate benefits for millions of people. 4. While they should do this automatically, their systems aren't designed for this kind of mass recalculation. 5. You should proactively contact SSA after the repeal, but expect extremely long wait times and difficulty reaching representatives. 6. Bring documentation showing your original benefit application and how WEP/GPO affected your amounts. 7. Be prepared to explain the situation multiple times, as many SSA representatives may not be fully trained on the repeal implications. Also, remember that the repeal's implementation timeline could be phased, so benefits might not change immediately on January 1st.

I feel your pain! I tried calling SSA about my WEP situation last month and spent THREE HOURS on hold only to get disconnected. Then I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it changed everything! They got me connected to a real SSA agent in less than 10 minutes. You might want to check out their video demo: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU When the repeal goes into effect, SSA is going to be absolutely swamped with calls. Having a service that can actually get you through to a representative quickly will be worth it. I'm planning to use them again when I need to deal with my WEP recalculation.

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I'm going to gather my original paperwork from 2012 and wait until at least February to contact SSA about recalculating my benefits without the WEP/GPO reductions. I'll try my local office first since I've had better luck there in the past, but if the lines are too long I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I'm relieved to hear I don't need to submit a whole new application since I was already deemed to have filed for spousal benefits back in 2012. Just need to make sure SSA actually does the recalculation!

One more thing - print out a copy of the actual legislation repealing WEP/GPO and take it with you when you go to the SSA office. I've learned from dealing with them for years that many employees don't stay updated on policy changes. Having the actual law in your hand can save you from being given incorrect information. And if the first person you talk to seems confused, politely ask to speak with a technical expert or supervisor who specializes in WEP/GPO issues.

my mom had gpo affect her widows benefit for years. shes so excited about the repeal but scared about dealing with ssa. will let u know how it goes when she tries in january!