Social Security Information

On January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act became law, eliminating rules that reduced Social Security benefits for eligible individuals who also receive a public pension.

Background

Earnings from Ohio State employment are not covered under Social Security. Instead, eligible employees contribute to a mandatory retirement plan – OPERS, STRS or the ARP. If you contributed to Social Security with a previous employer, you are potentially eligible for Social Security benefits.

Previously, two rules – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) – each reduced the Social Security earnings of Ohio State retirees in different ways. The WEP reduced your Social Security benefit amount, and the GPO reduced or possibly eliminated the amount of your spouse or widow(er) benefit.

What’s Changing

The Social Security Fairness Acts eliminates both WEP and GPO reductions. Those qualifying for a Social Security benefit from a prior employer will now receive the full, unreduced benefits going forward.

Additionally, Social Security recipients who received reduced benefits since January 1, 2024, will receive retroactive payments for any reduction of benefits during that time.

For updates about the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, visit ssa.gov.