SSA representative outlines eligibility rules and says WEP/GPO repeal has been signed but implementation is pending
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
A Social Security Administration unit representative explained credits, full retirement age, benefit calculation and earnings limits, and said the Social Security Fairness Act repealing WEP and GPO was signed Jan. 5, 2025, with SSA still developing procedures for implementation.
Pascal Johanning of the State Social Security Administration unit at CalPERS walked attendees through how Social Security eligibility and benefit calculations interact with CalPERS-covered employment.
Johanning described how credits are earned and eligibility thresholds: "In 2025, you earn 1 credit for every $1,810 in wages, up to a maximum of 4 credits per year," and noted that 40 credits (typically about 10 years of work) are generally required to qualify for retirement benefits.
He explained full retirement age varies by birth year and affects benefit amounts, that benefits may be claimed as early as 62 with reductions or delayed up to age 70 for increased monthly payments, and cited calculation mechanics: Social Security indexes lifetime earnings, averages the highest 35 years and applies bend points. For 2025 Johanning said beneficiaries receive 90% of the first $1,174 of AIME, 32% of the amount between $1,174 and $7,078, and 15% above $7,078.
On earnings while working, Johanning said 2025 rules apply an annual limit of $23,400 for those under FRA and a higher limit ($62,160) in the year someone reaches FRA, and explained excess earnings can temporarily reduce benefits.
Johanning announced a statutory change affecting noncovered workers who previously faced reductions under the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). "The law that repeals the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset was signed on 01/05/2025," he said, adding the repeal is retroactive to benefits payable starting in January 2024 but that "it is still uncertain how long it will take to fully implement the changes" because the Social Security Administration is developing procedures and automated solutions for new calculations.
He urged attendees to create a My Social Security account for personalized estimates, outlined three ways to apply for benefits (online, phone appointment, in‑office appointment by scheduled call), and provided the SSA appointment phone number referenced in the presentation.
The presentation ended with a reminder to monitor ssa.gov for updates and to sign up for SSA notifications about implementation timing.