What the 2025 Changes to WEP and GPO Mean for You

Learn how changes in the 2025 Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) due to the Social Security Fairness Act could impact your benefit.

If you’re receiving a government pension that reduces your Social Security benefits, or if you’re a spouse or survivor affected by these rules, major changes are coming your way in 2025. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) have long impacted retirees who worked in both public and private sectors. But thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, some long-overdue updates are on the horizon. Here’s what you need to know about these changes, when they take effect, and how you can make sure you’re receiving the benefits you deserve.

The Latest Updates on WEP and GPO

The Social Security Fairness Act has passed, but the biggest question is: When will you see an increase in your Social Security benefits?

According to the latest update from the Social Security Administration (SSA) as of February 25, 2025, here’s the timeline for these changes:

Retroactive payments – Starting the week of February 25, 2025, the SSA will begin issuing one-time retroactive payments to eligible recipients. These payments will cover benefits back to January 2024 (including January and February 2024).

Increased Monthly Benefits – Most beneficiaries affected by these changes will start seeing their higher Social Security payments in April 2025. Since Social Security is always paid one month behind, this means your benefit for March 2025 (which reflects the new rules) will be deposited in April.

Make Sure Your Information Is Up to Date – If you’re expecting a retroactive payment or an increased benefit, log in to your SSA.gov account to ensure your banking details are correct.

Who Needs to Take Action?

Some retirees haven’t applied for Social Security because the WEP or GPO previously reduced their benefit to zero. If this applies to you, you may now be eligible for benefits—but you must apply.

If you haven’t applied for Social Security, do it now! The SSA will only issue benefits to those who have officially filed. If you assumed you wouldn’t qualify before, these changes could mean you’re now eligible.

Help others who may be affected – If you have friends, family, or former colleagues who didn’t file due to WEP or GPO reductions, let them know about these updates.

Stay informed – More details could be released in the coming months. Be sure to check SSA.gov for updates and follow our content for the latest Social Security news.

How Many People Will Be Affected?

The SSA is adjusting benefits for over 3 million people impacted by WEP and GPO. However, they will not automatically pay benefits to those who haven’t applied. This is why it’s crucial to check your eligibility and apply if you haven’t already.

If you’ve been waiting for these changes, now is the time to take action. Apply for benefits, verify your information with the SSA, and get ready for a long-overdue increase in your Social Security payments.

Next Steps

✔️ Check your Social Security account – Make sure your personal details and payment information are correct.

✔️ Apply for Social Security if you were previously ineligible due to WEP or GPO.

✔️ Stay updated – Follow our updates for more Social Security and retirement planning insights.

Big retirement mistakes can cost you thousands—don’t let missed Social Security benefits be one of them! Stay informed and make sure you’re getting the benefits you’ve earned.

Links:

• Sign up for Social Security: www.ssa.gov 
• Social Security Fairness: Windfall Elimination (WEP) and Government Pension (GPO) | 2025 Law Passes! 
• Social Security and Work: How Much Can You Make in 2025? 
• Supercharge your Social Security Benefit with These 5 Tips 

Connect With Jeremy Keil:

• Mr. Retirement YouTube Channel
• LinkedIn: Jeremy Keil
• Facebook: Jeremy Keil
• LinkedIn: Keil Financial Partners

Disclosures

Jeremy Keil, aka “Mr. Retirement” and Keil Financial Partners offer retirement planning services with a focus on retirement income and tax planning, Social Security and pension claiming decisions, health & life insurance analysis and estate planning strategies. Jeremy Keil and Keil Financial Partners using the trademark name “Mr. Retirement” recognizes that these are not an exhaustive list of all aspects of retirement but are important topics on the financial aspects of retirement planning.  The projections or other information generated regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results. Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC and its advisors do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney and/or tax professional regarding these situations.

Disclosures: Keil Financial Partners may utilize third-party websites, including social media websites, blogs and other interactive content. We consider all interactions with clients, prospective clients and the general public on these sites to be advertisements under the securities regulations. As such, we generally retain copies of information that we or third parties may contribute to such sites. This information is subject to review and inspection by Thrivent Advisor Network or the securities regulators. 88 Advisory Persons of Thrivent provide advisory services under a “doing business as” name or may have their own legal business entities. However, advisory services are engaged exclusively through Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Keil Financial Partners and Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC are not affiliated companies.

Thrivent and its financial professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. Representatives have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration. Before investing, investors should carefully read the prospectus/summary prospectus. and carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. All portfolio-level performance shown is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Investor returns will differ from the results shown. The investment funds listed herein are not FDIC insured and shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for money market funds. Increases in interest rates can cause the prices of bonds in the portfolio, and thus. the fund’s share price, to decrease. All distribution yields shown are after all fund related expenses, but before ’s management fee.