Social Security Fairness Act to Deliver Increased Benefits for Millions
The repeal of two longstanding provisions will boost payments for over 3.2 million Americans, with retroactive benefits starting immediately and monthly increases beginning in April.
- The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in January 2025, repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
- These changes primarily benefit public-sector workers such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers who previously faced reduced or eliminated Social Security payments due to their pensions.
- Eligible beneficiaries will receive retroactive payments for benefits dating back to January 2024, with most one-time payments expected by the end of March 2025.
- Monthly Social Security payments for affected individuals will increase starting in April, with adjustments varying based on individual circumstances and pension amounts.
- The Social Security Administration has expedited the rollout using automation, though complex cases requiring manual review may take longer to process.