Social Security and Ohio's Teachers: Post WEP and GPO
- ORTA
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
The recent elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) is creating a shift in thinking for many Ohio teachers who will now, for the first time in decades, receive unreduced SSA retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits.
The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law by President Joe Biden on January 5, 2025, eliminating the WEP and the GPO.
Prior to the passage of H.R 82, many of Ohio's retired teachers had their Social Security retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits reduced or eliminated because of the WEP and/or the GPO.
Prior to the passage of H.R. 82, many of Ohio's teachers did not expect to receive Social Security retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits so they did not educate themselves about the Social Security Administration's rules and regulations.
Following the passage of H.R. 82, it's now important for Ohio's active and retired teachers to educate themselves about the Social Security Administration.
Here are some things Ohio's teachers need to know about SSA and their Social Security benefits.
→ The first thing you need to do is to create a my Social Security account online.
Click here to watch a video about creating a new my Social Security account. (2:17)
For accounts created before September 18, 2021
Click here to watch a video about transitioning your my Social Security account. (3:10)
→ SSA has lots of helpful videos on their YouTube channel.
→ Information about the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023
→ Ed Weir, Former Manager, Social Security Administration, answers questions and explains recent changes at SSA.
→ US House Subcommittee on Social Security: 119th United States Congress (2025-2026)
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Social Security shall include bills and matters referred to the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to the Federal Old Age, Survivors’ and Disability Insurance System, the Railroad Retirement System, and employment taxes and trust fund operations relating to those systems.
Here are the members of the current House Subcommittee on Social Security and the names and email addresses of their legislative aides, who monitor their email accounts. Reach out to them with your questions and concerns about Social Security.
Ohio Representative Mike Carey is a member of the House Subcommittee on Social Security.
Majority Members
Representative Ron Estes (KS), Chair Elizabeth Young: elizabeth.young@mail.house.gov
Representative Mike Carey (OH) Emily Graeter: emily.graeter@mail.house.gov
Representative Randy Feenstra (IA) Tim Medeiros: tim.medeiros@mail.house.gov
Representative Aaron Bean (FL) James Thomas: james.thomas@mail.house.gov
Nathaniel Moran (TX) Emma Chance: emma.chance@mail.house.gov
Lloyd Smucker (PA) Juliana Dauchess: Juliana.dauchess@mail.house.gov
Blake Moore (UT) Rebekah Rodriquez: Rebekah.rodriquez@mail.house.gov
Rudy Yakym (IN) Mike Dankler: mike.dankler@mail.house.gov
Minority Members
John Larson (CT), Ranking Member Mike Dunn: mike.dunn@mail.house.gov
Gwen Moore (WI) Chris Goldson: chris.goldson@mail.house.gov
Steven Horsford (NV) Sheyla Marimon: Sheyla.marimon@mail.house.gov
Terri Sewell (AL)
Hilary Beard: hilary.beard@mail.house.gov
Stacey Plaskett (VI) Paige Clarke: paige.clarke@mail.house.gov
Copy this list and paste it into your email message to contact ALL of the members with one message.
Ron Estes <elizabeth.young@mail.house.gov> Mike Carey <emily.graeter@mail.house.gov> Randy Feenstra <tim.medeiros@mail.house.gov> Aaron Bean <james.thomas@mail.house.gov> Nathanial Moran <Juliana.dauchess@mail.house.gov> Rudy Yakym <mike.dankler@mail.house.gov> Lloyd Smucker <Juliana.dauchess@mail.house.gov> Blake Moore <Rebekah.rodriquez@mail.house.gov> John Larson <mike.dunn@mail.house.gov> Gwen Moore <chris.goldson@mail.house.gov> Steven Horsford <Sheyla.marimon@mail.house.gov> Terri Sewell <hilary.beard@mail.house.gov>Stacey Plaskett <paige.clarke@mail.house.gov>
