The Act applies to benefits you get on your own record (retirement or disability benefits) and to spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits on another person’s record. What action you need to take depends on your situation and on what type of benefits you are eligible for.

If you are entitled to retired or disabled workers’ benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced by WEP; OR if you are entitled to spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced or eliminated by GPO:

• If you know that SSA has your mailing address and/or direct deposit information on file, no other actions are needed from you at this time.
• If you want to verify that the mailing address and/or direct deposit information that SSA has on file is accurate and up to date:
  • Check your personal my Social Security account. Visit www.ssa.gov/my account to sign in or create an account.
  • If you are unable to create an account, please call 1-800-772-1213 to verify the information we have on file.

Ensuring that SSA has the correct information allows you to get any retroactive benefits and your new benefit amount quicker.

If you are not sure whether you ever applied for retirement, spouse’s, or surviving spouse’s benefits:

• You may need to file an application. The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin.

If you never applied for retirement due to WEP or spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits because of GPO:

• You may need to file an application. The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin and your benefit amount. However, each case is different, and all other Social Security laws and policies, such as benefit reductions for claiming benefits before the full retirement age, the retirement earnings test, and others, still apply.

Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits

• The most convenient way to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits is online at www.ssa.gov/apply.
  • Please note that the online application continues to collect pension information until we are able to update it; however, we will not offset the benefit.
  • If you are applying for spouse’s benefits, please note that selecting “Family Benefits” will take you to the application for Retirement/Medicare benefits. This process ensures that you will be considered for all benefits you are entitled to.
• We can take an application by telephone for people who did not previously apply for retirement benefits because of WEP or spouse’s benefits because of GPO. If you meet these conditions, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?”, say “Fairness Act.” Then, you'll be asked a few questions. Your answers will help us connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative to take your application.

Surviving Spouse’s Benefits:

• The survivor benefit application is not available online.
• Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?”, say “Fairness Act.” Then, you'll be asked a few questions. Your answers will help us connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative to take your application.
• For additional eligibility information, visit www.ssa.gov/apply.

As of week ending February 28, 2025: SSA has taken 68,000 new applications since the Social Security Fairness Act was passed. We have completed 72% of the new applications.