President Biden has signed the Social Security Fairness Act, HR 82, which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GOP).  What does this mean?  Repealing the WEP and GOP eliminates the longtime reduction of Social Security benefits for public employees who receive a public pension.  For LOPFI and Local Plan Members whose police officer or firefighter employment was not covered by Social Security, you will not see a reduction to your Social Security benefits when you enter retirement and begin receiving your LOPFI or Local Plan monthly benefit and social security retirement benefit. 

Because this is a change to the Social Security benefit program, all questions will need to be directed to the Social Security Administration (SSA) at www.ssa.gov  The SSA website also allows you to setup an online account with Social Security.  Their online platform provides immediate access to view and update your personal information and obtain an estimate of your Social Security benefits to see how this change has affected you. 

Are you getting close to reaching retirement eligibility? Have you started preparing for retirement by running various estimates in your Member Portal? Have you considered the out-of-pocket cost for medical, vision, and dental insurance?

Click here for information that you may find helpful as you prepare to exit your career and enter the next chapter of your life.