Massachusetts Pension + Social Security: What Your Statement Still Doesn’t Tell You (Even After WEP & GPO Repeal)

Most Massachusetts public employees — teachers, police officers, firefighters, state workers, municipal employees — have spent years wondering how their pension interacts with Social Security. And until recently, that confusion was tied almost entirely to WEP and GPO.

Now, with the Social Security Fairness Act eliminating WEP and GPO starting in 2025, things finally get simpler.

But here’s what hasn’t changed:

Your Social Security statement still doesn’t show the full picture. Not for pension households. Not for married couples. Not for survivor benefits.

The statement isn’t misleading. It’s simply limited. And for people with pensions, the most important information is still missing.

Let me break down what you need to know.

Your Social Security Statement Is More Accurate Now — But Still Incomplete

Starting in 2025, your Social Security benefit will no longer be reduced because of your Massachusetts pension. You will get the full benefit based on the work you actually did in Social Security–covered employment.

That’s the good news.

But your statement still doesn’t show several things that matter a lot for retirement planning:

1. Your Spousal Benefit Amount Is Still Not Shown

This surprises almost everyone.

Even though GPO is gone, your Social Security statement still does not show your spousal benefit amount. It also doesn’t explain how it’s calculated or how filing choices affect it.

For many Massachusetts pension households, the spousal benefit not your own benefit  ends up being the biggest driver of long-term income.

But you won’t see that number anywhere unless you request it or calculate it.

2. Survivor Benefits Are Not Shown Either

This is where planning really matters.

Your statement does not show:

• What your spouse would receive if you pass away

• What you would receive if they pass away

• How delaying or filing early affects the survivor benefit

• How your pension survivor option fits into this

With GPO gone, survivor benefits will now be larger than before, which means the timing and strategy behind Social Security matter even more.

3. Past Filing Decisions May No Longer Be Optimal

Many retirees filed early or filed under their own record because WEP or GPO made spousal benefits look unattractive.

Those decisions might not make sense anymore.

I’m already seeing situations where:

• One spouse claimed too early

• The wrong record became the foundation of the plan

• Survivor income is lower than it could be

• Couples need to explore changes or course corrections

When the rules change, the strategy should change too.

4. Your Pension Estimate Still Doesn’t Explain Any of This

Your pension estimate shows Option A, B, or C.It does not explain:

• How those choices align with Social Security

• What income continues after death

• What income stops

• How the surviving spouse will be affected

This is where the planning opportunity is — connecting the pieces.

What You Should Do Now

If you want clarity, here’s the simplest first step:

1. Print your Social Security statement

2. Print your spouse’s Social Security statement

3. Print your pension estimate

4. Put them all on the table

5. Ask:

   
   

   • What income continues if one of us passes away?

   • What stops?

   • Is our filing strategy still ideal after the rule changes?

   • Are we leaning on the right person’s earnings record?

Most people have never seen these documents side by side.Once they do, everything becomes clearer.

Final Thought

WEP and GPO going away is genuinely good news for Massachusetts families. But it also creates new planning questions — and opportunities — that weren’t possible before.

Your Social Security statement shows your number.It does not show the whole picture.

If you're thinking, “We should probably take another look at this,” reach out anytime. This is exactly the kind of planning I help families with every day.

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