The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) fixes long-standing reductions that affected many public workers by eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
These rules had cut Social Security checks for people who also received a non-covered pension (from jobs that did not pay Social Security tax).
With the change, millions of retirees—such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, and some federal, state, and local workers—see their benefits restored or increased.
Who Is Eligible For The Increase?
You may benefit if:
- Your prior Social Security was reduced by WEP because you earned a pension from non-covered work.
- Your spousal or survivor benefit was offset by GPO.
- You receive, or can claim, Social Security based on your own or a spouse’s record and you (or your spouse) also have a non-covered pension.
Most workers who always paid Social Security taxes throughout their career were not impacted by WEP/GPO and therefore won’t see a change under the SSFA.
How Much Can You Receive?
The exact increase depends on your earnings record, the size of your pension, and the type of benefit (worker, spousal, or survivor).
Many people will see several hundred dollars more per month, and some are receiving retroactive payments to cover months when WEP/GPO reduced benefits.
The headline numbers tied to the rollout are $14 billion distributed to about 3.1 million retirees, reflecting both back-pay and higher ongoing checks.
Payment Timeline And What To Expect
Payments have been rolled out in waves. Affected retirees typically receive:
- a one-time retroactive deposit to correct past reductions, and
- a higher monthly benefit going forward on their normal Social Security payment date.
You should also receive a benefit notice that explains your new amount. If you previously stayed out of the system because of WEP/GPO, you may now apply and be evaluated under the updated rules.
Key Numbers At A Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Distributed | $14 billion (aggregate to affected retirees) |
| People Impacted | ~3.1 million retirees |
| What Changed | WEP/GPO eliminated, restoring fuller Social Security for impacted workers |
| Who Benefits | Retirees with a non-covered pension whose benefits were cut by WEP/GPO |
| Payment Format | Retroactive back-pay + higher monthly checks |
| Typical Increase | Varies by record; often hundreds of dollars per month |
| How To Check | Log in to my Social Security, read your benefit notice, confirm direct deposit |
| Tax Considerations | Social Security may be taxable based on combined income thresholds |
How To Check Your Status
- Log in to my Social Security: Review your Payment History and Benefit Verification for new amounts.
- Watch your mail and bank: Look for the explanation letter and direct deposit changes.
- Gather pension documents: Have your non-covered pension information ready if the agency requests it.
- Apply if you skipped before: If GPO/WEP kept you from claiming, file now to be assessed under the updated rules.
Tips To Maximize Your Benefit
- Verify your earnings record: Fix any gaps to ensure your Primary Insurance Amount is correct.
- Coordinate spousal/survivor options: The end of GPO can unlock a higher spousal or survivor benefit.
- Plan for taxes and Medicare: Higher benefits can affect taxability and IRMAA brackets; budget accordingly.
- Set up direct deposit: This ensures faster, safer payments with fewer delays.
The Social Security Fairness Act brings long-awaited relief to retirees whose benefits were reduced by WEP/GPO.
With around $14 billion already distributed to about 3.1 million retirees, many are finally receiving the fuller benefits they earned—plus retroactive back-pay to make up for prior cuts.
Check your account, read your notice, and consider new filing options if you previously held back.
Understanding the rules now can help you secure every dollar you deserve and plan your retirement budget with greater confidence.
FAQs
If you were already receiving Social Security and were impacted by WEP/GPO, your benefit is typically recalculated automatically, with back-pay and a higher monthly amount where due.
You should apply. With GPO/WEP removed, you may newly qualify for spousal or survivor benefits or see a larger worker benefit.
No. Only those whose benefits were reduced by WEP/GPO due to a non-covered pension are impacted. Workers who always paid Social Security tax usually see no change.