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Update: Social Security Expedites WEP/GPO Repeal and Payments

State Capitol building with text saying update.

On February 20, 2025, LACERA emailed members about the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), and Government Pension Offset (GPO) effective January 2024. This repeal is a significant victory for all LACERA members who are eligible for Social Security benefits, since they will receive the full Social Security benefits to which they are entitled.

On February 25, the Social Security Administration announced an expedited timeline for immediate and retroactive payments, which is excellent news for our retired members who have been receiving payments reduced by the WEP or GPO. According to the Social Security website:

  • Those who are due retroactive benefits will receive one-time payments by the end of March, which will cover the increased benefit amounts back to January 2024.
  • Since Social Security benefits are paid one month behind, most affected beneficiaries will receive their new monthly benefit amounts in April 2025.
  • Social Security will mail notices to affected beneficiaries explaining benefit changes and retroactive payments.
  • Expedited payments rely on automation, so those with complex cases requiring manual processing will require extra time for implementation.
  • If you have questions regarding your payment, you can contact the Social Security Administration, but the agency urges beneficiaries to wait until April before inquiring, since payments will process incrementally throughout March.

The Social Security Administration is applying these changes automatically, so members currently receiving benefits do not have to take action.

If you previously did not apply for Social Security spousal/survivor benefits due to the GPO, you may want to apply for benefits now. LACERA will provide more details in a separate notice.

For more information about the repeal of the WEP/GPO, payment schedule, applying for spousal benefits, and other updates, visit the Social Security Administration’s information page about the Social Security Fairness Act.