Quick Information about the WEP and GPO
Current retirees affected now:
2,665,089
Current employees who will be affected by the offsets when they retire (as of 2018):
6,400,000
Retirees can be affected by both penalties.
Current Windfall Elimination Provision Statistics by state
CRS Report Feb. 2021 (See pages 5-6 for state stats)
Current Government Pension Offset Statistics by state
CRS Report Feb. 2021 (See Pages 8-9 for state stats)
WEP Facts:
- 3% of all Social Security beneficiaries are affected
- 1,948,427 retirees affected now
- Among them 56% are men
- The WEP causes a larger reduction for low-income recipients
- Penalty is decreased for people with “(Substantial) SS Covered Earnings”. 2021 Substantial Earnings is $26,550.
GPO Facts:
- 1% of all Social Security beneficiaries are affected,
- 716,662 retirees were affected (2019).
- 83% are Women
- 71% of those affected lose ALL their Social Security benefits
- 53% have their spousal benefits affected
- 47% have their Widow’s or Widower’s benefits affected
- The GPO causes a higher percentage cut for lower-income retirees
State Resolution Texts that you can use
Links to Other Information Centers
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to the frequently asked GPO and WEP questions.
NCPSSM Viewpoint
This strong 2017 statement from the National Committee for Preservation of Social Security and Medicare shows why these offsets should be repealed.
Click here to read the report.
The required SSA form to warn employees about the GPO/WEP
This is the form that public employers who do not participate in the FICA (Social Security) tax system have been required to have new employees sign since January 1, 2005.
