Getting rid of WEP and GPO?

Graves from the house signed the bill and it’s now officially enrolled. It now goes to the senate for Harris to sign and then is presented to the president for his signature . It has until 1/3 to get done but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s completed by Friday because of its high interest. None of Nevada’s public employees pay into SS.
 
Chuckanut said:
When I was a teacher we had two occasions when a contract was not reached by the start of the new school year. We did not strike. We did a “Work to the old contract” which was very effective.

We arrived as a group at our exact starting time and everybody left at the exact quitting time. No work was supposed to be taken home. No meetings after quitting time. No phone calls to parents in the evening to discuss why Jane can’t throw erasers in class. The vast majority of teachers put in many hours off the official clock to do things like grade papers, get the classroom ready for the next day’s lessons, etc. (not a complaint, just saying that is reality). After one week of that we got what most considered a fair contract.
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This is the typical last ditch effort to avoid an actual strike from what I’ve heard over the years from my mother and sister. Both teachers in California but different areas of the state.
 
Teacher Terry said:
Graves from the house signed the bill and it’s now officially enrolled. It now goes to the senate for Harris to sign and then is presented to the president for his signature . It has until 1/3 to get done but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s completed by Friday because of its high interest. None of Nevada’s public employees pay into SS.
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Thanks for the update!
 
Teacher Terry said:
Graves from the house signed the bill and it’s now officially enrolled. It now goes to the senate for Harris to sign and then is presented to the president for his signature . It has until 1/3 to get done but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s completed by Friday because of its high interest. None of Nevada’s public employees pay into SS.
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Thank you and keep the updates coming. 😊
 
I appreciate the updates.

My question is when to submit my application for spousal benefits. Any reason for me to not do it NOW? My thought is that if backdating 6 months is allowed then sooner is better.

A little background on my situation. I don’t have 40 quarters so I don’t qualify for SS on my own record. Both DH and I are over 70. DH has been receiving his SS benefits since age 63. There is no reason to wait based on age and as stated DH is already drawing benefits.

The only reason I can think of for not applying now is that all the final signatures are not in place and I don’t want to file an application that will be rejected and need to start over.
 
FIYes said:
I appreciate the updates.

My question is when to submit my application for spousal benefits. Any reason for me to not do it NOW? My thought is that if backdating 6 months is allowed then sooner is better.

A little background on my situation. I don’t have 40 quarters so I don’t qualify for SS on my own record. Both DH and I are over 70. DH has been receiving his SS benefits since age 63. There is no reason to wait based on age and as stated DH is already drawing benefits.

The only reason I can think of for not applying now is that all the final signatures are not in place and I don’t want to file an application that will be rejected and need to start over.
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I believe until it is actually law, then the current regs are what they go by. Some have brought up the question of whether to apply asap to get a protected date for those 6 months of retro benefits. I have seen nothing on that in print. I have not heard anything on how long it will take Social Security to roll out the new procedures if/when it does become law. My opinion though is to at least check one's Social Security online account to make sure it works if one plans to use that to apply. I had set mine up years ago but somewhere along the line the info didn't work anymore, and they are apparently now phasing in new log on methods. I reset up mine and they are sending the usual activation code which can take some time to receive in the mail. Of course, one could also call to make an appointment without doing it online? Not sure if they would make an appointment yet before it is law or not.
 
I’m just thinking that there will be a huge backlog when this law becomes effective. I do have my social security account set up with the new log on.
 
So the bill doesn’t have to be signed by the Senate but it’s traditional. 3 different people can sign it and the Senate meets today at 2:30 ET.

Senator Collins has asked the White House for a public signing with people invited for the signing. The bill still needs to be presented to the president and will be once the Senate signs. While most of us affected want it signed quickly it may take longer if they make it an event.
 
Important update to my post yesterday. I found this document online regarding Social Security instructions regarding the WEP/GPO repeal. Especially note the "REMINDER" near the end of the document about employees taking information to protect the intent to file (possibly to also protect the retroactive period?).

PolicyNet/Instructions Updates/EM-24067: Elimination of Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)

EM-24067 - Elimination of Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) - 12/23/2024
secure.ssa.gov secure.ssa.gov
 
zl55lz said:
Important update to my post yesterday. I found this document online regarding Social Security instructions regarding the WEP/GPO repeal. Especially note the "REMINDER" near the end of the document about employees taking information to protect the intent to file (possibly to also protect the retroactive period?).

PolicyNet/Instructions Updates/EM-24067: Elimination of Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)

EM-24067 - Elimination of Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) - 12/23/2024
secure.ssa.gov secure.ssa.gov
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I think I'll just wait until it's signed and actually becomes law before I file. A few days isn't going to make a big difference.
 
We are going to the bank tomorrow to get into the safe deposit box in order to retrieve the young wife's birth certificate and our marriage certificate in anticipation of filing for her spousal benefits next week.
 
Teacher Terry said:
So the bill doesn’t have to be signed by the Senate but it’s traditional. 3 different people can sign it and the Senate meets today at 2:30 ET.

Senator Collins has asked the White House for a public signing with people invited for the signing. The bill still needs to be presented to the president and will be once the Senate signs. While most of us affected want it signed quickly it may take longer if they make it an event.
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With Biden now vacationing on St. Croix I'm not sure when's he's going to find the time for a public signing.
 
Drake3287 said:
With Biden now vacationing on St. Croix I'm not sure when's he's going to find the time for a public signing.
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Someone called Graves office today and the spokesperson said they aren’t anticipating any problems with getting the bill signed as it can be done anywhere that Biden is. I agree it probably won’t be a public signing and frankly I just want it done.
 
My application has been in the status “waiting for review by an agent in London” since November 12th. Once the bill is signed into law an agent shouldn’t be required to look into foreign pensions so I’m hoping it moves more quickly.
 
PERSonalTime said:
I think I'll just wait until it's signed and actually becomes law before I file. A few days isn't going to make a big difference.
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I don't know about that. A few days might make a difference if you have to schedule an appointment with SSA to file for spousal benefits. And it might depend on whether you're currently receiving SS retirement benefits for scheduling purposes. I tried to apply online for spousal benefits -- and I couldn't get processed with an error message that basically said we can't take your application at this time. I then tried to schedule an appointment at the local office for mid-January 2025 (thinking that the bill would have been signed by the President and enacted into law) and that perhaps by then most of the kinks with implementation would be removed.

After a long wait for a SS rep to schedule an appointment this morning, I got through and the rep said that if you're already receiving benefits (I'm WEP-reduced benefits) then you cannot apply online for spousal benefits. She informed me that the application for spousal benefits must be done by an appointment/interview with SS if you're already receiving benefits on your own record. The rep then took down basic information from me and my wife (DOB, SS number, Address, years of marriage, place of birth, mother's maiden name -- the same info required for an online application). She said her data entry is the first step in this application process. She stated that application processing, like mine, is now being done by telephone interview, instead of office visits to the local office.

She then scheduled a telephone interview for me -- the earliest one for me was February 19, 2025. I got a text confirmation from SSA for this appointment. The rep stated that during the interview/appointment questions about processing for spousal benefits, coverage and timing of payments, (including WEP adjustments for 2024) would likely be addressed.

Generally speaking, spousal benefits are not retroactive -- they commence with a completed application. So the sooner you apply and get processed might be better for you. If I'm wrong about that someone please correct me.
 
My plan to file for myself at age 70 has not changed. Therefore, my currently WEP'd wife will not apply for spousal benefits for 27 more months. When GPO is eliminated, our largest "gain" is in the potential survivor benefits. It still makes sense to maximize my benefits at age 70 in order to maximize potential survivor benefits.
 
I requested a copy of our marriage certificate from the state. Never had an official copy before. I believe I have every thing else.
 
I'm still wrapping my head around this but since my WEP'd payment was going to be about $500 at FRA and my wife's will be I think around $3,400, I should be using the spousal benefit of $1,700 once she starts collecting (she's a year younger than me), right? And if she passes away before me, I'd get a survivors benefit of her full benefit?
 
Teacher Terry said:
Congressman Graves just posted that the senate has signed the bill and it’s headed for the president!! Happy days😊.
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I certainly don't believe everything I see on YouTube but there's more than a few "experts" saying Biden might not be signing it after all. Like others, I just wish it was done with.
 
I thought Biden had indicated his support of this bill. What would be his reason for not signing? I’ll be glad when it is signed.
 
Wishful thinking generates YouTube clicks. I'm not counting my chickens just yet, but I've seen no indication that Biden will not sign.
 
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