Social Security and Ohio's Teachers: Post WEP and GPO

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.

Click here to watch videos on SSA's YouTube channel.

→ Information about the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023

Click here for the most recent update about the Social Security Fairness Act from SSA.

→ Ed Weir, Former Manager, Social Security Administration, answers questions and explains recent changes at SSA.

Watch Ed Weir's videos on YouTube.

→ 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.

Click here to contact Representative Carey.

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