NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (DDN) – A law signed by former President Joe Biden in January is now delivering financial relief to millions, as Social Security recipients begin receiving larger payments along with back pay. The bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, passed in the final weeks of Biden’s term, has officially gone into effect, eliminating restrictions that previously reduced Social Security benefits for certain retirees receiving other government pensions.
Who Benefits From the New Law?
The change primarily affects individuals who worked in public service roles, including teachers, police officers, firefighters, and certain federal employees. Many of these workers had their Social Security benefits reduced under the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). With these provisions now repealed, about 3.2 million people will see an increase in their monthly payments.
Back Pay and Payment Schedule
The law applies retroactively from January 2024, meaning eligible recipients will also receive a lump-sum payment for the extra benefits they missed over the past year. These one-time payments began rolling out on February 24 and are expected to reach most recipients by the end of March. New, increased monthly payments will begin in April 2025.
According to the Social Security Administration, most recipients will receive their retroactive payments two to three weeks before they receive a formal notice about the changes in the mail.
Payment Increases and Estimates
The actual increase in benefits varies by individual, but projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provide estimates of how payments will change:
| Affected Group | Average Monthly Increase by December 2025 |
|---|---|
| All impacted beneficiaries | $360 |
| Beneficiaries receiving payments based on living spouses | $700 |
| Surviving spouses receiving widow/widower benefits | $1,190 |
While some individuals may see only a small boost, others could receive up to $1,000 more per month.
Who Will Not See a Change?
The Social Security Administration clarified that not all public workers will experience an increase. About 72% of state and local public employees are already covered by Social Security and pay into the system, meaning they were never subject to WEP or GPO and will not see any benefit change.
Automated Process, But Some Delays Possible
The payment adjustments are largely automated, but more complex cases may require individual review, potentially delaying some payments. The administration has assured that those impacted will receive their money as quickly as possible.
With these changes, millions of Americans who dedicated their careers to public service are finally receiving the full benefits they were owed, offering financial relief and stability for retirees across the country.
Reference: 3.2 million people get boosted Social Security: Who qualifies for retroactive payments?
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