The Social Security Administration on Monday answered more questions about implementing the Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions of Social Security.
The agency is providing updates in question-and-answer guidance on its website page.
In its first update to the page on Jan. 27, SSA that under its current budget, it could take more than a year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits under the Social Security Fairness Act, and explained how many recipients would actually be covered under the new law.
On Monday, SSA updated the guidance to provide information on what action should be taken now under the law — answering questions on applying for retirement, spouse or surviving spouse benefits.
The Act "applies to benefits you get on your own record (retirement or disability benefits) and to spouse's or surviving spouse's benefits on another person's record," SSA states. "What action you need to take depends on your situation and on what type of benefits you qualify for."
For instance, SSA explained that if you never applied for retirement, spousal or survivors' benefits because of WEP or GPO, "you may need to file an application" and that the date of the application "might affect when your benefits begin and your benefit amount."
That said, "each case is different, and all other Social Security laws and policies, such as benefit reductions for claiming benefits before the full retirement age, the retirement earnings test, and others, still apply," SSA said.
SSA also explains what to do if you are entitled to retired or disabled workers' benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced by WEP; or if you are entitled to spousal or survivors' benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced or eliminated by GPO.
"Consider reviewing the mailing address and/or direct deposit information that SSA has on file for you," SSA states. "This will allow SSA to adjust your benefits as quickly as possible. Generally, no other actions are needed at this time."
The easiest way for most beneficiaries to update their address or direct deposit information with SSA, if needed, is online with a personal my Social Security account.
"There is no need to call or visit SSA. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create an account," the Q&A advises.
If you received a request from SSA regarding a pension amount, SSA states that "WEP and GPO still apply to months prior to January 2024."
"In some instances, we may need to request the amount received for your pension from work not covered by Social Security to verify we are paying you correctly for these months," SSA said.
Credit: Chris Nicholls/ALM
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