Keenan Briefings

Briefing

New Law Restores Full Social Security Benefits for Public Pension Retirees

On January 5, 2025, then-President Joe Biden signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act, a law which eliminates the Social Security Governmental Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), two federal rules that had reduced Social Security payments for the more than 3.2 million workers eligible for public pensions based on work not covered by Social Security. The enactment of this law will allow retirees participating in public pension systems to receive their full Social Security benefits.

The law is effective for benefits payable after December 2023, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) has indicated that it could take more than a year for some beneficiaries to see an adjustment in benefits and retroactive payments.

Employers can find more information about the Social Security Fairness Act at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CalPERS provides information and resources for its members at https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/active-members/retirement-benefits/service-disability-retirement/social-security-and-your-pension.

CalSTRS does not provide additional information or resources on its website for members at this time.

Keenan is not a law firm and no opinion, suggestion, or recommendation of the firm or its employees shall constitute legal advice. Clients are advised to consult with their own attorney for a determination of their legal rights, responsibilities, and liabilities, including the interpretation of any statute or regulation, or its application to the clients’ business activities.