The Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law on January 5, 2025, eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) which previously reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for many beneficiaries. The Act specifically targets individuals who receive pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security.

Who Qualifies?

Affected Public Employees: This includes teachers, firefighters, police officers, and federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

Individuals with Non-Covered Pensions: If you receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security, you may be eligible for retroactive payments.

Beneficiaries Affected by WEP and GPO: Previously, if you had your benefits reduced under WEP or GPO, you will now see an increase in your benefits due to the elimination of these provisions. Eligibility extends to individuals who are currently receiving benefits as well as those who may not have applied previously due to the anticipated reductions.

What Payments Will You Receive?

Eligible individuals who are due retroactive benefits as a result of the Act will receive a one-time retroactive payment, which is intended to cover the increase in their benefit amount back to January 2024, the effective date when WEP and GPO no longer applies. Payments will be electronically deposited into the bank account the SSA has on file, so it is vital to ensure that your account information is current.

Most beneficiaries expect to see their new monthly benefit amounts starting in April 2025, which will reflect the adjustments made due to the Social Security Fairness Act.

Steps to Determine Eligibility

To confirm eligibility:

Review your pension status: Ensure you are receiving a non-covered pension.

Check your Social Security records: Use your my Social Security account to verify your direct deposit information and ensure it is accurate.

Application: If you have never applied for Social Security benefits due to the WEP or GPO, you may need to file a claim to be considered for these benefits going forward.

If you have questions or require assistance, the Social Security Administration encourages individuals to wait until after their April payment to contact them regarding the new benefit amounts, as processing is ongoing and may take longer for complex cases.