Social Security finally processing WEP/GPO Fairness Act applications for retired teachers!

They just verified my teaching pension amount and made sure they had my correct direct deposit info. Also confirmed I was still married to my husband (sounds obvious but they checked). The rep mentioned they're prioritizing applications filed in early January first, so you should hear something soon!

I've had luck calling right at 9:00 AM Eastern when they open. If you're struggling to get through to SSA, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that gets you connected to an agent without the endless hold time. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. I used it when I needed to straighten out my own GPO situation and got through in 15 minutes vs. my previous 3-hour wait that ended in a disconnect.

The backpay is calculated based on your application date, not a fixed date for everyone. The law took effect in January, but benefits are only paid from the month after you apply (with a possible 6-month retroactive period in some cases, though that typically doesn't apply to these WEP/GPO situations). If your cousin applied in August, then September would be the first month she'd be eligible for payment.

The GPO Fairness Act specifically addresses the Government Pension Offset, which previously reduced spousal/survivor benefits for those with government pensions. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) that affects your own Social Security benefit remains in place, though it was modified. If your husband's SS benefit is larger than your own would be, you should definitely apply for the spousal benefit now. Before this law, your teacher pension would have reduced your spousal benefit by 2/3 of your pension amount, often eliminating it entirely. Now, you can receive your full spousal benefit (up to 50% of your husband's PIA) regardless of your teacher pension. The law is complex with phase-in periods, so I'd recommend applying right away and letting SSA calculate your specific situation.

Yes, the GPO Fairness Act absolutely applies to survivor benefits as well as spousal benefits. You should contact Social Security immediately to file for recalculation of your widow's benefit. Under the new law, your teacher pension will no longer reduce your survivor benefit. As a widow, you could be eligible for up to 100% of your late husband's benefit amount (depending on your age and when you claim).

thats awesome!! gives me hope mine will come thru soon too. did they send any kind of notice before the deposit or did it just show up?

do u know if i need my actual marriage certificate or just the info from it? i cant find mine and getting a new copy takes forever in TX

There seems to be some inconsistency between different SSA offices. The main processing is being handled by specialized units rather than local offices, which may explain why you got different information. I would recommend filing your application online immediately rather than waiting until April. Once it's in the system, it will be routed to the appropriate processing unit regardless of what your local office advised.

That's exactly right! I filed on literally the first day it was possible and I'm glad I did. Hope your mother-in-law gets her benefits soon!