The Social Security Administration is working to implement a new law that will increase payments to millions of retirees.
The Social Security Fairness Act I cosponsored was signed into law this month. I’m proud to have delivered this win for Nevada’s dedicated public service workers.https://t.co/kmocvmkRmf
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 24, 2025
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed by President Joe Biden on January 5, eliminates two provisions that reduced benefits for public sector employees and their spouses. The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision reduced Social Security benefits for teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public employees. Rep.
The Social Security Administration has provided updated information on its site related to the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act.https://t.co/ilPYHCxvu4
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) January 24, 2025
Dina Titus, a Democrat from Nevada, said the law will give the state’s civil servants the full retirement benefits they have earned. “These dedicated public servants were shortchanged by a Social Security formula that unfairly diminished their benefits,” Titus said. “This has been corrected by the legislation, and 39,000 Nevadans will now get the full benefits they deserve.”
The SSA updated their FAQs on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023. Get the latest on the repeal of WEP/GPO https://t.co/7rcg3ohXgA. Sign up for updates thru SSA webpage.
TRS will share new updates when available. As a reminder, TRS benefit payments aren't impacted by SS.
— TRS Texas (@TRSofTexas) January 24, 2025
According to Biden, nearly 2.5 million Americans will receive a lump-sum payment of thousands of dollars to make up for the shortfall in benefits they should have gotten in 2024.
On average, Social Security payments will increase by $360 a month.
Social Security Administration releases FAQ on Social Security Fairness Act. Follow NAPO for updates on the implementation of the new law. https://t.co/6i2T0rOrN5
— NAPO (@NAPOpolice) January 24, 2025
“The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity,” Biden said during a January press conference about the law. The Social Security Administration is still working to implement the law.
Public employees gain retirement benefits
People who will benefit from the changes do not need to take any action except to make sure the administration has their current mailing address and direct deposit information, according to a spokesperson. Francine Lipman, a federal and state tax law and policy expert at UNLV, said the law is great news for many retirees.
Nevadans who work for the state, such as UNLV faculty or K-12 teachers, do not participate in Social Security but rather in alternative retirement plans. However, many public employees have contributed to Social Security during prior employment with private companies. “Their Social Security checks will increase, they won’t be subject to the windfall, and any new retirees won’t be subject to the windfall either,” Lipman said.
Due to the now-eliminated Government Pension Offset, spousal benefits were sometimes reduced to zero, resulting in many retirees not receiving spousal benefits. This will no longer be the case, Lipman explained. The increases in payments, though marginal, will be significant for retirees with static income.
The extra $300 or so a month will help with groceries, drug care costs, and possibly allow people to go out for dinner a couple of times more each month, Lipman said. People can check their information and ensure it is up to date by visiting www.ssa.gov/myaccount.