The Social Security Fairness Act, passed at the end of last year, has brought significant changes for over 3.2 million public sector workers. The repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) means that many retirees, including firefighters, police officers, and teachers, will now receive higher Social Security benefits.
With payments already rolling out, here’s what you need to know about eligibility, retroactive payments, and how much your benefits could increase.
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What Changes Did the Social Security Fairness Act Make?
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) previously reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for individuals who received a pension from non-covered employment (jobs that did not pay into Social Security).
- WEP reduced Social Security benefits for those who worked in both covered (Social Security-paying) and non-covered employment.
- GPO reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers receiving a government pension.
With these provisions repealed, affected retirees will now receive their full Social Security benefits.
When Will Increased Payments Be Sent?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) initially warned that processing these adjustments could take over a year. However, the agency has since sped up the process.
- As of March 5, the SSA has sent more than $7.5 billion in retroactive payments to 1,127,723 people.
- The average retroactive payment so far is $6,710 per person.
- Monthly benefits are being adjusted throughout March, with the updated amounts reflected in April payments.
If you haven’t received your lump-sum payment yet, the SSA asks you to wait until April before calling.
How Much Will My Benefits Increase?
The amount of the increase depends on whether you were affected by WEP or GPO.
| Affected Group | Average Monthly Increase |
|---|---|
| WEP Beneficiaries | $360 |
| GPO Beneficiaries | $700 – $1,190 |
These figures are based on Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates from September 2024.
How to Know if You Will Receive a Larger Payment
The SSA will mail notices to those eligible for a benefit increase in the coming weeks. If you receive Social Security benefits and were affected by WEP or GPO, you do not need to take action—your payments will be adjusted automatically.
However, if you never applied for retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits because of WEP or GPO, you may need to file an application.
How to Apply for Benefits
- Online: Visit the SSA website and select “Family Benefits” (covers both retirement and Medicare benefits).
- By Phone: Call 1-800-772-1213 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM ET).
- When prompted, say “Fairness Act.”
- Answer a few questions to be connected to a WEP-GPO trained representative.
Key Takeaways
- The Social Security Fairness Act repeals WEP and GPO, restoring full benefits to affected retirees.
- Over $7.5 billion in retroactive payments have already been sent.
- Monthly benefits will be fully adjusted by April 2025.
- Most affected individuals do not need to take action—the SSA is automatically adjusting payments.
- If you never applied for benefits due to WEP or GPO, you may need to file an application.
The repeal of WEP and GPO is a major win for public sector retirees. If you’re eligible, be sure to check your April payment and follow up with the SSA if needed.
FAQs:
When will I receive my increased Social Security benefits?
Most beneficiaries will see their updated payments in April 2025. The SSA has already sent retroactive payments to over 1.1 million people.
How do I check if I qualify for additional benefits?
The SSA will mail notices to eligible recipients. If you never applied for benefits due to WEP or GPO, you may need to submit an application.
How much will my Social Security benefits increase?
WEP-affected retirees: $360 more per month on average.
GPO-affected retirees: $700 – $1,190 more per month on average.
