On December 21, 2024, Congress passed HR 82, Social Security Fairness Act that, in effect, increases Social Security benefits for certain public employees, including educators. 

Previously, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) changed the calculative formula for Social Security such that, for California educators and other government employees, earned Social Security benefits for those who earned both Social Security and CalSTRS were reduced. Similarly, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced the spousal Social Security and widower’s benefits for individuals who retire from STRS. 

The Social Security Fairness Act, repealed both the WEP and GPO with the goal of of ensuring that public employees are able to maximize their Social Security benefits earned during tenures of service.