Social Security Fairness Act: Next Steps for CalSTRS and CalPERS Members
What is the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), signed into law in January 2025, eliminates two provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for public sector employees: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
How does this impact CalPERS and CalSTRS members?
For CalSTRS educators and CalPERS public safety members, this is significant because while they didn’t pay into Social Security through their public employment careers, many earned Social Security credits through private sector work. Under the old rules, these workers faced benefit reductions simply for having a public pension. The GPO was particularly harsh, reducing spousal and survivor Social Security benefits by two-thirds of the public pension amount, and oftentimes eliminating these benefits entirely.
Importantly, the SSFA only impacts Social Security benefits—CalPERS and CalSTRS pensions remain unchanged. For families, the SSFA could mean restored spousal benefits and access to previously denied survivor benefits.
Have increased benefits gone out yet?
The SSFA is retroactive to January 2024, meaning eligible retirees will receive back payments for previously reduced benefits. Many people have started receiving increased benefits already in spring of 2025, although more complex cases may still be under review by the Social Security Administration. As of May 2025, the Social Security Administration had processed about 2.4 million, or 87% of all SSFA-related adjustments.
What are my next steps?
The flowchart below shows how the Social Security Fairness Act affects different scenarios for public employees, spouses, and survivors under the new law, as well as any next steps beneficiaries should take on their Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial advice. Consider consulting with a fee-only financial planner for personalized guidance.
