The Social Security Administration is working to implement the recently passed Social Security Fairness Act, which will increase benefits for 3.2 million Americans. The act, signed into law by President Biden before leaving office, repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced Social Security benefits for certain retirees and their spouses who received non-covered pensions from employers who did not withhold Social Security taxes.
Many teachers, police officers, firefighters, and some federal employees will now be eligible for larger Social Security checks. The benefit increases will vary depending on individual circumstances, with some seeing modest increases while others could receive an additional $1,000 or more per month. Those who claimed Social Security before the new law became effective are also owed back benefits.
Social Security benefit increase timeline
However, the Social Security Administration cautions that adjusting all affected individuals’ benefits and payout retroactive amounts could take more than a year. Beneficiaries may have to wait until 2026 to see the extra money in their checks and receive any applicable retroactive payments.
In the meantime, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and a bipartisan group of senators are urging the Trump Administration to implement the Social Security Fairness Act swiftly. They emphasize the importance of providing prompt relief to the millions of Americans impacted by the WEP and GPO. The Social Security Administration advises beneficiaries to ensure their mailing addresses and direct deposit information are up-to-date to facilitate smoother processing.
The agency’s website will provide regular updates on the implementation process. Affected individuals can also contact the Social Security Administration by phone or email or visit their local Social Security office for personalized advice.