Does my Mexican (IMSS) or Spanish pension still reduce my US Social Security?

No. The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). December 2023 was the last month they applied, so a foreign or other non-covered pension no longer reduces your US Social Security for any month from January 2024 onward.

Is SSA paying back pay?

Yes. SSA is issuing automatic retroactive lump sums back to January 2024 — over 2.8 million people and more than $17 billion paid as of July 2025. If SSA has your current address and direct deposit, most people need to do nothing. If you never applied because of WEP/GPO, you must file a new application.

How much was WEP cutting?

WEP reduced the 90% factor on the first part of your benefit, up to a 2024 maximum of about $587/month, phasing out with years of US work — 30+ years of substantial coverage meant no WEP. The cut could never exceed half your non-covered pension. GPO cut a spousal or survivor benefit by two-thirds of the non-covered pension.

US · SSA · 2026 data

Does my foreign pension still reduce my US Social Security?

No — not anymore. The WEP and GPO were repealed, so a Mexican (IMSS), Spanish, or US government pension no longer cuts your US Social Security for any month from January 2024. And SSA owes you back pay. Estimate what was restored and what you're owed.

Your situation

Which Social Security benefit?

Your non-covered pension (USD/month)

Years you paid into US Social Security (WEP only)

When did this benefit start?

Know your prior monthly reduction? (optional — from an old SSA letter)

Estimated back pay SSA owes you

The breakdown

Email me my estimate + the SSA steps to check my back pay

Methodology & data sources

The Social Security Fairness Act (Public Law 118-273) repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). December 2023 was the last month they applied — benefits for January 2024 and later are no longer reduced by a pension from work that didn't pay into US Social Security, including foreign pensions (Mexico's IMSS, a Spanish pension) and US federal/state government pensions. WEP had reduced the 90% factor on the first bend point of your benefit (2024 first bend point $1,174), on a sliding scale by years of substantial US coverage — 30+ years meant no WEP, ≤20 years the full cut, with a 2024 maximum of about $587/month — and the cut could never exceed half your non-covered pension. GPO reduced a spousal/survivor benefit by two-thirds of the non-covered pension. We estimate the monthly amount now restored (from your years of coverage and pension, or the exact figure you enter) and multiply by the months back to January 2024. SSA is applying the restoration automatically and has your exact number; this is an estimate of what to expect.

✅ Rules verified as of July 18, 2026 — Social Security Fairness Act (PL 118-273); SSA WEP/GPO explainers · Estimate, not financial advice.

Sources: SSA — Social Security Fairness Act · SSA — WEP explainer · SSA — GPO explainer

Frequently asked questions

Does my IMSS or Spanish pension still cut my US Social Security?

No. WEP and GPO were repealed; December 2023 was the last month they applied. From January 2024 on, a foreign or other non-covered pension no longer reduces your US benefit.

Do I have to do anything to get my back pay?

Usually no. SSA is issuing the retroactive lump sums automatically if it has your current address and direct deposit. The one exception: if you never applied for benefits because of WEP/GPO, you now need to file.

How big was the reduction?

WEP capped out around $587/month in 2024 and shrank with more years of US work (30+ years = no WEP), never exceeding half your pension. GPO cut a spousal/survivor benefit by two-thirds of the pension. Both are gone now.

Is this my exact amount?

It's an estimate. Your exact figure depends on your earnings record, which only SSA has — and SSA is applying it automatically. Use this to know roughly what to expect, then confirm on your SSA account.