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CalPERS clarifies Windfall Elimination Provision repeal; members directed to Social Security Administration
Summary
Yvonne Walker outlined how the Social Security Fairness Act, signed Jan. 5, repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and said CalPERS will monitor implementation but cannot administer SSA changes; members should contact the Social Security Administration for benefit adjustments.
Yvonne Walker, a CalPERS board member, told webinar attendees that the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) — a federal rule that reduced Social Security benefits for some public employees who worked in “noncovered” positions — was repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act signed by the president on Jan. 5.
Walker said the repeal is retroactive to benefits paid in 2024 but that it is unclear how long the Social Security Administration will take to implement the law. “No matter what your work history was, Social Security has no impact on your CalPERS pension,” Walker said, and she emphasized that CalPERS does not manage the federal implementation or any additional Social Security payments. She advised members to contact the Social Security Administration for questions about updated Social Security benefits.
During the question‑and‑answer portion, callers asked whether the change would increase currently reduced Social Security checks and how quickly the SSA would process adjustments. Walker said CalPERS staff will monitor federal developments and may engage lawmakers and regulators as appropriate, but that she could not interpret or guarantee SSA timelines and recommended contacting the Social Security Administration directly for case‑specific answers.
The board did not take formal action during the webinar; Walker said CalPERS will “monitor every development” and will raise related issues at future board meetings as needed.
