Replay: Episode 62 How WEP Impacts Canadians Collecting CPP & U.S. Social Security

Update: 2025-08-26

Description

We’re revisiting one of our most popular and practical episodes on Snowbirds Expat Radio—and if you’re a Canadian with ties to both CPP and U.S. Social Security, this one’s for you.

Host Gerry Scott sits down with Sharon Conrod, CPA of Hanson Cross-Border Tax Professional Corporation, to break down the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)—what it is, why it exists, and how recent changes may affect Canadians planning for (or already in) retirement.

You’ll also hear about the Government Pension Offset (GPO), the differences between the U.S. and Canadian retirement systems, and what these evolving rules mean for your financial planning across borders.

✅ Key Insights from this Episode:

WEP adjusts U.S. Social Security benefits for those receiving non-covered pensions, like CPP.
Recent changes could reduce WEP’s impact for many Canadian retirees.
GPO operates separately from WEP and specifically affects spousal benefits.
Understanding the WEP formula is critical to estimating your benefits.
Policy and political shifts may shape the future of WEP.
CPP and U.S. Social Security are structured differently, making direct comparisons tricky.
Canadians can now apply for CPP without triggering automatic reductions in U.S. benefits.

If you split your working life between Canada and the U.S., this replay is packed with timely, need-to-know information to help you plan smarter for retirement.