Equipping the Rural Church: Reviving Forgotten Congregations. We are joined by TJ Freeman (Pastor; Director, Brainerd Institute for Rural Ministry). Topics discussed include: Meet TJ Freeman. Training Pastors for Rural Ministry. Reviving Forgotten Congregations. Serving in a Rural Church.  

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston addresses the real-life challenges parents of teens face, including vaping, bullying, video games, emotional struggles and the balance between connection and correction. He offers practical wisdom along with thoughtful answers on privacy, technology and parenting in a constantly changing culture. Whether you’re navigating tough conversations or working to build more honesty and trust at home, this episode is packed with encouragement to strengthen your relationship with your teen. Listen now!

Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org

For years, the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset reduced benefits for those who had rightfully earned them. Now that those policies are gone, many are left with questions. Eddie Holland joins us to help clarify what’s changed and what it means for your retirement.

Eddie Holland is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor and partner of Blue Trust in Greenville, South Carolina. He’s also a CPA, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA®).

The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), enacted over 40 years ago, reduces Social Security benefits for individuals receiving a non-covered pension—a pension from which no Social Security taxes were withheld. This often included employees in state and local government jobs, such as teachers, police officers, and firefighters.

Similarly, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced a spousal or survivor benefit for individuals in the same situation. These rules were designed to prevent “double-dipping,” but they often unfairly penalized modest-income workers, sometimes reducing their monthly Social Security checks by hundreds of dollars—or even eliminating their spousal or survivor benefits entirely.

That changed on January 5, 2025, when President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act. This legislation repealed both WEP and GPO, effective retroactively as of January 2024. As a result:

• Nearly 3 million Americans became eligible for retroactive benefits.
• Future monthly benefits for those affected have also been adjusted upward.

This marks a significant win for many retired public servants who had long felt the weight of these provisions.

There are two phases of payments:

1. Retroactive Payments – Starting in March 2025, some individuals received large one-time deposits representing the benefits they should have received since January 2024. These payments often arrived with little to no explanation, leaving many confused.
    
2. Adjusted Monthly Benefits – Beginning in April 2025, Social Security began increasing ongoing monthly benefits for those impacted.

It’s important to note that these changes only apply to individuals with a non-covered pension, not all civil service employees.

If you believe these changes may apply to you, Eddie recommends two simple steps:

1. Check Your Account Online. Visit SSA.gov to log in to your account (or create one if you haven’t already).
    
2. Contact the Social Security Administration. If your account doesn’t show any updates or you have questions, call 1-800-772-1213 or schedule an appointment at your local SSA office to speak directly with an agent.

If navigating these changes feels overwhelming, consider consulting a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) who specializes in matters related to Social Security, who can help you make informed, faith-based financial decisions. You can find one in your area by visiting FaithFi.com and clicking “Find a Professional”. 

• I’m 60 years old and planning to retire early at 62. I’d also like to pay off my house before I retire. Is that a smart move, and is it realistic given my current financial situation?
• I understand that retiring before my full retirement age will

Katy Faust shares her story of starting a blog pushing back against progressive family policies and boldly continuing her work after a gay activist doxed her and her church community. Learn about the right of children to their biological parents and the statistical evidence supporting a biblical family structure. You’ll be equipped to join Katy in speaking up for the children. Plus hear about Focus on the Family’s powerful new documentary, Truth Rising, featuring more from Katy and her story.  

Truth is under attack—but it’s not lost. Truth Rising, a powerful new documentary from Focus on the Family and the Colson Center, reveals the cultural crisis and calls the church into action. Stand firm, engage boldly, and be part of the movement to reclaim truth.

Get More Episode Resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Do Christians take themselves too seriously? 

Do we really follow Jesus?