Information about the WEP and GPO
Quick Information: IN FOCUS Update: 2/13/23
Current retirees affected 12/22:
2,734,601
Current employees who will be affected by the offsets when they retire (est. as of 2019):
6,500,000
Retirees can be affected by both penalties.
Windfall Elimination Provision Statistics by state
CRS Report Feb. 2023 (See pages 6-7 for state stats)
Government Pension Offset Statistics by state
CRS Report Feb. 2023 (See Pages 8-9 for state stats)
WEP Facts (2/23):
- 3% of all Social Security beneficiaries are affected
- about 2 million retirees affected now
- Among them 54% are men
- The WEP causes a larger reduction for low-income recipients
- Penalty is decreased for people with “(Substantial) SS Covered Earnings”. 2023 Substantial Earnings requirement is $29,700.
GPO Facts (2/23):
- 1% of all Social Security beneficiaries are affected
- 734,601 retirees were affected (Dec. 2022).
- 83% are Women
- 70% of those affected lose ALL their Social Security benefits
- 52% have their spousal benefits affected
- 48% have their Widow’s or Widower’s benefits affected
- The GPO causes a higher percentage cut for lower-income retirees
The required Social Security Administration 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.
WEP/GPO Formal Resolutions text suggestions that your organization can use.
Links to More Information:
- Social Security Online information on the WEP and the GPO (SSA)
- The financial condition of Social Security (SSA)
- Congressional Budget Office H.R. 82 Cost Estimate
- California Retired Teachers Assn. on GPO and WEP (CalRTA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Read answers to the frequently asked GPO and WEP questions.
NCPSSM Viewpoint
This strong 2022 statement from the National Committee for Preservation of Social Security and Medicare shows why these offsets should be repealed.