The outgoing Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act at the end of last year which repealed two laws that reduced benefits for certain workers, their spouses and survivors who receive pensions for non-covered employment. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million public sector workers, including firefighters, police officers and teachers.
The Social Security Administration, after earlier warning that it could take a year or more to send increased monthly payments as well as retroactive payments, announced last month that they have been able to speed up the process for all but the most complex cases. More than a third of those beneficiaries affected by the legislation have already begun to see their retroactive lump-sum payments for benefits that would’ve been paid in 2024.
An update posted on 5 March said that 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 stated the agency. The SSA will continue to adjust the monthly amount beneficiaries are due throughout the month of March, which should be reflected in the payment that will be sent in April.
The agency asks those who have not received their retroactive payment to wait unitl April to call the SSA. For those that have questions about how much their monthly payments will increase the SSA asks that those beneficiaries wait until they have received their April payment.
How do I know if I will receive a larger payment?
The SSA will mail notices to those eligible for a benefit increase in the coming weeks. The federal government estimates that up to 3.2 million people are impacted by the new law.
Only a small number of that total will need to inform the SSA of their possible eligibility. They include the following people:
- are not sure whether they ever applied for retirement, spouse’s, or surviving spouse’s benefits and
- never applied for retirement due to WEP or spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits because of GPO.
If you never applied for retirement, spouse’s, or surviving spouse’s benefits because of WEP or GPO, “you may need to file an application,” advises the SSA. The SSA also notes that those who never applied should select “Family Benefits,” which covers both retirement and Medicare benefits.
You can file an application online, or, new this year, the SSA is taking applications by phone. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (M-F 9am to 6pm ET).
“When the system asks, ‘How can I help you today?’, say ‘Fairness Act.’ Then, you’ll be asked a few questions,” instructs the SSA. The answers you give will help the SSA connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative who will take your claim.
How much will the Social Security Fairness Act increase benefits by?
Per a September 2024 estimate by the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation will increase monthly benefits by an average of $360 for Social Security beneficiaries previously impacted by the WEP, and by an average of between $700 and $1,190 for Americans who were affected by the GPO.
