For years, many public employees faced a frustrating reality: despite paying into Social Security during part of their careers—or being married to someone who did—their benefits were reduced or eliminated because of outdated federal rules. If you were a teacher in Ohio, a police officer in Texas, or a firefighter in California, chances are you were impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
But now, that’s changed.
In early 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) was signed into law, repealing both WEP and GPO. For millions of current and future retirees, this long-awaited shift is already having a major impact. If you’re a public sector employee in Cincinnati or anywhere across the U.S., here’s what you need to know—and how to plan accordingly.
What Was the Problem? A Quick Primer on WEP and GPO
Before diving into what’s changed, let’s revisit what WEP and GPO did:
- WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision): If you worked in a job that didn’t pay into Social Security (like many teaching or public safety jobs in states like Ohio) and also had a job that did, WEP reduced your Social Security retirement or disability benefit. Even if you paid into the system for 10+ years, your benefit could be hundreds of dollars lower each month.
- GPO (Government Pension Offset): If you received a government pension and were eligible for spousal or survivor benefits through Social Security (because your spouse paid into the system), those benefits were slashed—or eliminated. GPO offset your benefit by two-thirds of your pension, meaning many surviving spouses in the public sector received $0 from Social Security.
These provisions were created to prevent so-called “double dipping,” but in practice, they punished millions of public employees who earned both a pension and some or all of the Social Security benefits they had worked for or were entitled to through a spouse.
What Changed: The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA)
Passed with strong bipartisan support and signed into law in January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act does two things:
- Permanently repeals WEP and GPO.
- Applies the repeal retroactively to January 1, 2024.
That means if you’ve already retired and had your benefit reduced because of WEP or GPO, you’re now owed more money—including back payments from 2024. And if you’re nearing retirement, the benefits you thought you’d lose may now be fully available to you.
The Current State: Where Things Stand in Mid-2025
- Higher checks are already going out. The Social Security Administration began updating benefits in early 2025, and most eligible retirees have already seen increases in their monthly deposits.
- Retroactive payments are being processed. Many retirees have received lump sums covering underpayments from 2024. Others are still in the queue, particularly in more complex cases, but the SSA expects to complete all updates by November 2025.
- Nothing needs to be done for current recipients. If you’re already receiving Social Security, the SSA is making these updates automatically. If you never applied because of WEP/GPO, now is the time to revisit that decision.
How It Affects Teachers, Police Officers, and Firefighters
Let’s break this down across common roles in the public sector, especially for those in Cincinnati or throughout the state of Ohio, where many retirees come from non-covered employment through Ohio’s STRS, OP&F, OPERS, and other systems.
1. Teachers
Ohio is one of 15 states where teachers don’t pay into Social Security through their public school employment. Many teachers have part-time or second careers in jobs that do. Under the old rules:
- A retired Cincinnati Public Schools teacher who also worked at a private-sector job over summers or after retirement might have earned enough credits for Social Security, but WEP slashed that benefit—often by $300–$500/month.
- If that same teacher’s spouse had paid into Social Security, GPO could eliminate the spousal or survivor benefit entirely.
Now?
- That teacher receives their full Social Security benefit from their private-sector earnings.
- Their spouse (or they, if widowed) can claim spousal or survivor benefits in full.
- Many are seeing $300–$700 more per month, plus retroactive checks for the underpaid 2024 year.
2. Police Officers
Many police officers retire in their 50s and go on to second careers in the private sector—jobs that do pay into Social Security. Under WEP:
- Their earned Social Security was reduced simply because they also received a police pension.
- If their spouse had Social Security, GPO could wipe out the spousal or survivor benefit.
Now?
- They can claim full benefits from both systems—their pension and their Social Security based on other work.
- Their surviving spouse will also receive full survivor benefits—often a major source of retirement security.
3. Firefighters
The story for firefighters is nearly identical. Many spent 25–30 years in public service and then moved to the private sector or had side jobs that earned Social Security credits. Under the old rules:
- WEP reduced their benefit, and
- GPO eliminated their spouse’s survivor benefits.
Now?
- They’re receiving their full earned benefits and many are revisiting retirement plans or updating estate planning to reflect a higher income stream.
Real-World Example: Teacher Turned Consultant
Meet Diane, a retired Ohio high school teacher. She worked in the classroom for 30 years and receives a pension through STRS. In her early 60s, she started consulting part-time for a local education nonprofit. Over the next 10 years, she earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security.
Under WEP, her benefit was reduced by nearly $400/month. She didn’t think she’d receive a spousal benefit either—her husband, also retired, had a full Social Security record, but GPO would’ve eliminated any benefit for her.
Now, under SSFA:
- Diane receives her full $1,100/month Social Security benefit.
- If her husband passes away, she’ll receive his full survivor benefit without offset.
- She also received a lump sum of $4,800 to make up for 2024 underpayments.
Financial Planning Considerations: What You Should Do Now
Whether you’re already retired or planning for the future, this law has meaningful implications. Here are the key action steps:
1. Recalculate Your Retirement Income Plan
If you had been planning for reduced or no Social Security benefits, it’s time to update your plan. For many, this change means:
- Higher guaranteed monthly income
- Reduced need to draw from investment portfolios early
- Greater flexibility around retirement age
If you’re still working, it may even change your timeline. That additional monthly income might mean retiring sooner is more feasible.
2. Revisit Your Claiming Strategy
Spousal and survivor benefits are back on the table. Coordinate with your spouse to optimize:
- When each of you should claim
- Whether it makes sense to delay to age 70 for higher benefits
- How survivor benefits factor into long-term planning
For couples, especially those where one spouse worked in non-covered employment, this shift is foundational to retirement income strategy. Even if you worked your entire career in a non-covered role and never paid into Social Security, you may now be eligible for spousal benefits—as long as your spouse paid into the system during their career. This applies to many public employees who previously assumed they weren’t entitled to any Social Security benefit. It’s worth checking your eligibility, especially if you didn’t have a second career in the private sector.
3. Check Your Social Security Record
If you’ve never applied for benefits because WEP or GPO made them seem irrelevant, revisit that now. In many cases:
- Retirees are now eligible for thousands in annual benefits
- Applications must be filed to trigger back payments
SSA is processing applications from many retirees who had previously declined to apply under old assumptions.
4. Watch for Tax Impacts
More income means more tax planning. Remember:
- Social Security benefits are taxable above certain thresholds.
- An increase in income could push you into a higher marginal bracket or trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges (higher Part B and D premiums).
- Tax-efficient strategies like partial Roth conversions or adjusting RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) may help offset some of the tax burden.
5. Rethink Life Insurance or Survivor Annuities
Many public employees carried extra insurance or annuity riders to replace survivor Social Security benefits that were eliminated by GPO. Now that those benefits are restored:
- Some of those policies may no longer be necessary.
- Reallocating premiums toward investments or reducing expenses could enhance your plan.
6. Understand the Local Picture
Ohio in particular was hard-hit by WEP/GPO, and the repeal is a significant benefit for public employees here. If you’re in Cincinnati or anywhere in Ohio, keep in mind:
- STRS, OPERS and OP&F pensions are common.
- Many workers had second careers at places like P&G, Fifth Third Bank, or the University of Cincinnati—jobs that contributed to Social Security.
- Now, all that work counts without penalty.
Planning for the Future
This policy shift doesn’t just affect today’s retirees—it changes the retirement outlook for younger public employees, too.
If you’re in your 40s or 50s and:
- You’ve split your career between public and private roles…
- You’re married to someone with a Social Security benefit…
- You assumed your Social Security would be reduced or unavailable…
…it’s time to rethink your retirement plan. The next few years offer a strategic window to update projections, adjust savings strategies, and maximize long-term financial security.
Final Thoughts: A Long Overdue Correction
The repeal of WEP and GPO is more than just a policy win—it’s a personal financial milestone for many public employees.
If you’ve worked hard in a classroom, on the streets, or in the firehouse, you’ve earned your pension—and your Social Security. This law finally ensures you’re treated fairly.
But don’t leave anything to chance. Now is the time to:
- Reevaluate your retirement plan
- Update your income projections
- Coordinate your benefits with your spouse
- Ensure you’re claiming what you’re owed
Whether you’re already retired or still planning your next chapter, the Social Security Fairness Act opens new doors—and offers well-deserved peace of mind.
Would you like help understanding what this means for your situation? As financial advisors with deep experience working with public sector professionals in Ohio, we’re here to help. Let’s walk through your updated Social Security eligibility, pension benefits, and retirement plan together.
Disclosures:
For informational purposes only. Not intended as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Information prepared from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. For more information about Wealth Dimensions, including our Form ADV Part 2A Brochure, please visit https://adviserinfo.sec.gov or contact us at 513-554-6000. Please be advised that this material is not intended as legal or tax advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided in this material is not intended and cannot be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.