How the WEP Repeal Changes Social Security Benefits

How the WEP Repeal Changes Social Security Benefits for OPERS, STRS and OP&F Retirees

For years, many Ohio public employees believed they would lose Social Security benefits because they earned an OPERS pension. That changed in 2025!

With the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) many Ohio Public Employees (OPE) retirees may now qualify for Social Security benefits they previously could not receive —including larger personal Social Security benefits, spousal benefits, and survivor benefits.

For some married couples, this could mean thousands of dollars in additional annual retirement income.

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Can OPERS, STRS and OP&F Retirees Now Receive Social Security Benefits?

Yes.

Following the repeal of WEP and GPO, many OPE retirees may now qualify for:

• Their own FULL Social Security retirement benefit
• Social Security spousal benefits
• Social Security survivor benefits

This is one of the biggest retirement planning changes affecting Ohio public employees in decades.

Many retirees who previously expected reduced Social Security income may now qualify for significantly larger benefits.

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How the WEP Repeal May Increase Social Security Benefits for Ohio Public Employees (OPE)

The Windfall Elimination Provision(WEP) previously reduced Social Security benefits for many Ohio public employees who also earned an OPE pension.

This often-affected retirees who:

• worked in both public and private sector jobs,
• earned enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits
• and later received an OPE pension.

Under the old WEP rules, retirees frequently received less than their full Social Security benefit — even though they earned enough credits to qualify.

After the 2025 repeal of WEP, many retirees may now receive their full Social Security benefit.

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What Was the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)?

The Windfall Elimination Provision was a federal rule that reduced personal Social Security retirement benefits for individuals who:

• earned a pension from non-Social Security-covered employment (Ohio is a non-Social Security state when a public employee)
• and qualified for Social Security benefits through other employment.    

This commonly impacted:

• teachers,
• school employees,
• government employees
• university employees
• and other Ohio public workers.

Many retirees were surprised to discover their Social Security benefit was reduced at retirement because of WEP.

How the WEP Repeal Changes Retirement Income

Before the repeal:

• An OPE retiree may have qualified for Social Security benefits
• But their monthly Social Security income was often reduced because of WEP

After the repeal:

• Eligible retirees may now receive their full Social Security benefit
• Monthly retirement income may increase
• Lifetime retirement income projections may improve significantly

For some households, the increase in Social Security income could total tens of thousands of dollars per year in retirement.

How the WEP Repeal May Increase Social Security Income for OPERS Retirees

Example: Social Security Before and After the WEP Repeal

Before the repeal, an Ohio public employee may have expected a reduced Social Security benefit because of WEP.

After the repeal, that same retiree may now qualify for their full Social Security benefit amount.

Prior to the repeal, many Ohio public employees received reduced Social Security benefits because of WEP. Today, eligible retirees may now receive their full Social Security benefit amount.

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