News & Media Resources

Newsweek | Social Security Benefits Increased for Some Americans: Here’s Who’s Impacted

Martha Shedden, president and cofounder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), told Newsweek: “H.R. 82, known as the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, will do away with the WEP and GPO pension rules that affect the amounts of Social Security some individuals can collect … The WEP and GPO rules apply to certain government, state, local jobs—often teachers—who are receiving a pension for their work in those jobs, but their employers do not contribute payroll taxes into Social Security.”

ThinkAdvisor | Biden Likely to Sign Social Security Fairness Act on Jan. 6

The bill hit Biden’s desk Friday. Biden has until Jan. 8 to sign the bill. After 10 days, excluding Sundays, a bill “automatically becomes law (if Congress is in session) or not (if Congress adjourns before the 10 days — the ‘Pocket Veto’),” explained Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts.

BottomLineInc | What Changes Are Coming to Social Security in 2025?

Bottom Line Personal asked Social Security expert Martha Shedden, CRPC, RSSA, about the 2025 Social Security COLA increase as well as three other Social Security changes that are taking effect this year…two potential changes that are under discussion…and key details about the looming issues that could lead to very substantial changes for the Social Security system in the years ahead.

Newsweek | Senate’s Social Security Expansion Bill May Get Vote: Here’s Who’s Impacted

“The WEP and GPO rules apply to certain government, state, local jobs – often teachers – who are receiving a pension for their work in those jobs but their employers are not contribute payroll taxes into Social Security,” Martha Shedden, the president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), told Newsweek. “If they have other work that did contribute into Social Security and are eligible to collect retirement, spousal and/or survivor benefits, these rules can reduce or eliminate those benefits.”

U.S. News & World Report | What Does a Republican-Controlled Government Mean for Retirement?

“I do not think it’s possible for much to happen,” says Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. “Changes to Social Security must be bipartisan, (and) I am not hopeful for a bipartisan effort in the next four years.”

Barron's | Trump Aims to Slash Government Spending. What It Could Mean for Social Security.

What’s more, Social Security is notoriously complex. An overworked, harried staff may not ask all the questions necessary to help beneficiaries get everything they’re entitled to, says Martha Shedden, co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. Survivor benefits are one of the most common sources of incorrect advice, Shedden says.

U.S. News & World Report | Social Security Fairness Act: What It Is and Will It Pass

“The WEP can’t completely eliminate that Social Security,” says Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. The maximum reduction is about $600 right now. But the formula used for the GPO is different. “That can entirely eliminate those benefits, especially spousal benefits,” according to Shedden.

U.S. News & World Report | How to Undo Claiming Social Security Early

“You’re allowed to pull your application once and reapply at a later date,” says Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. “If Social Security payments are already hitting your bank account, that money must be repaid. That includes cash withheld by Social Security for Medicare premiums and some Medicare Part A medical expenses.”

Investment News | Social Security do-over: what are your options?

According to Martha Shedden, president and co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), retirees have two do-over opportunities once they start collecting benefits.The Social Security Administration (SSA) imposes two conditions that can make you eligible to withdraw your retirement benefits:You have been receiving benefits for not more than 12 months. You have never filed for a withdrawal of benefits.

Barron's | Medicare Gave Them Bad Advice. Now They’re Paying Dearly.

Private Social Security and Medicare consultants told Barron’s the SSA more than occasionally gives wrong advice. “People can’t figure out what to do. They call the Social Security Administration and get five different answers if they talk to five different people,” says Martha Shedden, president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, which trains financial professionals on how to handle Social Security issues for their clients.