The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced an increase in payments for over 3.2 million recipients affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions previously reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for those receiving pensions from non-Social Security-covered work, such as certain teachers, firefighters, and police officers. The changes are part of the Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in January 2024.
The SSA is implementing retroactive payments, which will be processed by the end of March, and increased monthly benefits starting in April. According to the Social Security Administration, the size of the benefit change varies based on the type of benefit received and the amount of the individual’s public pension. Some may see minimal increases, while others could receive over $1,000 more each month.
The elimination of WEP and GPO is retroactive to January 2024. Beneficiaries will receive a one-time retroactive payment deposited into their bank accounts on record with the SSA. The agency has advised beneficiaries to wait until April to inquire about their payments, as processing will continue throughout March.
Recent Comments