The Windfall Elimination Provision was eliminated over a year ago.
The real question is: did you talk to your clients about it?
Did it show up in:
- Your client newsletter?
- Prospecting emails or letters?
- Educational YouTube videos?
- Facebook or LinkedIn posts?
Too many firms miss opportunities like this — not because the information isn’t valuable, but because it isn’t leveraged consistently across channels.
A Major Change to Social Security — and a Missed Conversation
With the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, signed by President Biden in January 2025, Windfall Elimination officially became law — and it applies retroactively.
That matters.
For clients affected by WEP, this wasn’t a minor rule change. It directly impacted lifetime income.
A Quick Refresher: What Was Windfall Elimination?
The Windfall Elimination Provision was added to the Social Security Act during the Reagan Administration in 1983.
In short, WEP:
- Reduced Social Security benefits for many civil servants
- Often eliminated up to 60% of benefits they otherwise earned
- Impacted not just personal benefits, but:
- Spousal benefits
- Divorced spouse benefits
- Survivor benefits
Many clients assumed they simply “didn’t qualify” — even though they had paid into Social Security or were otherwise eligible through a spouse.
What Changed in 2025
With WEP eliminated:
- Civil servants previously impacted may now qualify for benefits
- Social Security was tasked with reviewing affected individuals automatically
- Some clients received notifications during 2025
However, there’s a problem.
There is no formal application process for clients to initiate a review.
Most individuals were told to wait and see if they were contacted.
What Advisors Should Be Telling Clients Now
If a client believes they may have been impacted by WEP — even years ago — they should:
- Contact Social Security directly
- Ask whether they are now eligible under the new rules
Why this matters:
- Payments can be retroactive for 2024 and 2025
- That could mean a meaningful lump sum
- Taxes will be owed on those payments — planning matters
The Bigger Lesson for Advisory Firms
This is about more than Social Security.
It’s about:
- Staying proactive
- Educating clients consistently
- Using timely legislative changes as touch points for engagement and growth
Firms that win long-term don’t just react — they communicate early, often, and across multiple platforms.
If you didn’t leverage Windfall Elimination’s repeal, make sure you don’t miss the next opportunity.
Your clients — and your future prospects — are paying attention.
