Government Pension
Offset (GPO).
The Government Pension Offset reduced or eliminated Social Security spousal and survivor benefits for CSRS retirees who received a government pension from non-Social Security-covered employment. GPO was repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act on December 21, 2024.
GPO repealed
December 2024.
After decades of reducing or eliminating Social Security spousal and survivor benefits for CSRS retirees, the Government Pension Offset was repealed as part of the Social Security Fairness Act. The law is now in effect — many affected retirees are already receiving higher benefits.
If you were previously subject to the Government Pension Offset, your Social Security spousal or survivor benefit should now be restored or increased — without the two-thirds offset applied against your CSRS pension. If your benefit has not yet been corrected, contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.
What to do if your benefits haven't been updated
Social Security has been processing retroactive increases for affected beneficiaries, including back pay to January 2024 in some cases. Processing has been gradual — not everyone received updated payments at the same time.
If you believe you were subject to GPO and your benefit has not increased, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office. Have your Social Security number and CSRS pension amount available.
See the Checks in the Mail article at fedretire.net for ongoing updates on the rollout.
How GPO worked — historical reference
For anyone researching their past benefit history, or trying to understand why their spousal benefit was previously reduced or eliminated, here is how the Government Pension Offset operated before repeal.
The GPO rule — $2 offset per $3 of government pension
Under GPO, the Social Security spousal, widow's, or widower's benefit was reduced by two-thirds of the amount of the government pension (CSRS annuity). The offset applied dollar-for-dollar to the spousal benefit — not to your own earnings-based Social Security benefit.
Because CSRS annuities are often large relative to typical Social Security spousal benefits, the GPO frequently eliminated the spousal benefit entirely — leaving many CSRS spouses and surviving spouses with no Social Security benefit at all despite their spouses having paid into the system.
Dollar example — how GPO eliminated a $600 benefit
Example: CSRS annuity of $1,200/month, spousal SS benefit of $600/month
The $800 GPO reduction exceeded the $600 spousal Social Security benefit — eliminating the benefit entirely. Under repeal, this person would now receive the full $600/month spousal benefit with no offset.
Who was affected and who was exempt
Subject to GPO (historically)
Exempt from GPO (historically)
GPO & WEP
resources.
Official SSA GPO guidance, the GPO calculator, WEP detail page, and the fedretire.net article on the repeal and benefit restoration.