The Government Pension Offset was more draconian. It cut spousal and survivor Social Security benefits by two-thirds of the non-covered pension, often to zero. Many married, divorced and widowed people with non-covered pensions were hit by both WEP and GPO (although the latter did not apply to individuals with a foreign pension).

On January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law, marking a major reform for public sector workers, including firefighters, police officers and teachers. This law eliminates two controversial provisions – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — providing fairer Social Security benefits to millions.

The Social Security program undergoes a series of revisions each year to ensure benefit payments keep pace with inflation and wages. The latest round of revisions took effect in January, and a recent survey published by Nationwide Retirement Institute suggests some of the changes will surprise many Americans.

However, for 42.5 million Americans, living with a disability is their everyday life. If you're struggling with a disability, you're far from alone. Thankfully, a vital safety net exists - Social Security Disability Insurance.