WEP vs GPO (plain English)
WEP and GPO are two different rules that can reduce Social Security benefits for some people who also receive pensions from non-covered work.
WEP
Affects your own retirement or disability benefit. It can reduce your Social Security benefit if you receive a pension from work where you didn’t pay Social Security taxes.
GPO
Affects your spousal or survivor benefit. It can reduce those benefits if you receive a pension from non-covered work.
Quick way to tell which one matters
- If you’re checking your own retirement benefit: start with WEP.
- If you’re checking a spousal/survivor benefit: you may be looking at GPO.
- Some people can be affected by both, depending on circumstances.
Note
This page is educational only. Official determinations depend on your full SSA record and current rules.
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Calculate Your WEP NowLast updated: 2026-01-21