Boston, Massachusetts – The passage of the Social Security Fairness Act by the outgoing Congress last year marked a significant victory for over 3.2 million public sector workers, including firefighters, police officers, and teachers who were affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
The WEP and GPO laws had previously reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for these workers, as well as their spouses and survivors who received pensions for non-covered employment. However, the repeal of these laws promised to bring much-needed relief to those impacted by the legislation.
Despite initial concerns that it could take a year or more for the Social Security Administration to send increased monthly payments and retroactive payments, the agency recently announced that they have expedited the process for all but the most complex cases. As of March, more than a third of beneficiaries have already started to receive their retroactive lump-sum payments, with the average payment totaling $6,710.
In a recent update, the SSA revealed that they have disbursed over $7.5 billion in retroactive payments to 1,127,723 individuals affected by the legislation. The agency continues to adjust the monthly payments for beneficiaries throughout March, with the changes expected to reflect in the payments scheduled for April.
Those who have yet to receive their retroactive payment are advised to wait until April before contacting the SSA. Additionally, individuals with questions about the increase in their monthly payments are encouraged to wait until they have received their April payment before seeking clarification.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive notices from the SSA in the coming weeks regarding the benefit increase. The federal government estimates that up to 3.2 million people will benefit from the new law, with only a small fraction needing to inform the SSA of their possible eligibility for increased benefits.
For those unsure about their eligibility or who have never applied for retirement or spouse’s benefits due to WEP or GPO, the SSA recommends filing an application. Applicants can do so online or by phone, with the agency now accepting applications over the phone in addition to the online option.
The Social Security Fairness Act is expected to boost monthly benefits by an average of $360 for those impacted by the WEP, and between $700 and $1,190 for individuals affected by the GPO, according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office. The legislation aims to provide much-needed financial relief to workers who have dedicated their careers to public service.