The Social Security Administration (SSA) has started processing benefit claims under the newly enacted Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law on January 5. The first batch of payments has been sent out, though millions more are still awaiting adjustments.
The law repealed two controversial provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—which previously reduced Social Security benefits for certain retirees with public pensions. These changes impact nearly 3 million workers, including police officers, firefighters, postal workers, and public-school teachers.
Though only a fraction of the affected beneficiaries have received payments so far, the SSA assures it is actively working on processing claims.
“To date, we have processed approximately 30,000 new initial claims,” an SSA spokesperson told USA TODAY via email. “Depending on eligibility factors, some beneficiaries are receiving retroactive payments as well.”
Why Are Payments Delayed?
A significant reason for the slow rollout is that the law is retroactive to January 2024. This requires the SSA to adjust both past and future benefits, adding complexity to the process.
However, the SSA did not receive additional funding to implement these changes, further complicating efforts. “Implementing the law without disrupting ongoing customer service depends on adequate funding,” the SSA explained. “Unfortunately, the Act did not provide financial support for this process. Compounding the issue, SSA has been under a hiring freeze since November 2024, with no relief in sight.”
Initially, SSA estimated that beneficiaries could wait more than a year to see payments. However, on Tuesday, the agency revised its timeline, stating that retroactive payments should be deposited by the end of March. Since Social Security payments are distributed one month in arrears, adjusted monthly benefits will begin in April, covering the March period.
Beneficiaries will receive mailed notices detailing the changes to their benefits. Some may even receive their retroactive payments before the official notice arrives.
Political and Public Reaction
The original projected delays sparked bipartisan concern, with senators from both parties urging immediate implementation to ensure relief reaches retirees promptly.
In response, SSA has implemented automated systems to accelerate payments. However, complex cases still require manual adjustments, which could take longer to process.
Among those still waiting for their payment is Mike Barker, a 67-year-old retired police officer from Brimfield, Ohio. “It’s bureaucracy at its finest,” he remarked, adding that he plans to use his retroactive payment for travel.
What Can Beneficiaries Do?
The SSA advises beneficiaries to ensure their contact and banking details are up to date to avoid further delays.
People filing new claims can check their status through their personal “my Social Security” account and will receive notifications once their claims are processed. Payments will be made via direct deposit for those with updated banking details on file.
For current beneficiaries affected by WEP or GPO, reviewing mailing and direct deposit details is recommended. Most do not need to take any further action.
SSA will post updates on its Social Security Fairness Act webpage and encourages beneficiaries to subscribe to receive alerts. Beneficiaries expecting retroactive payments should refrain from contacting SSA before April, as checks will be issued throughout March.
How Much More Will Beneficiaries Receive?
The increase in benefits varies based on individual factors, including the type of Social Security benefit and pension amount. Some retirees will see only slight increases, while others may receive more than $1,000 extra per month.
Understanding WEP and GPOWEP and GPO were introduced in 1983 to prevent Social Security from overpaying individuals with non-covered pension income. These rules aimed to ensure fairness by preventing public employees from being classified as low-wage earners for Social Security calculations.
The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduced Social Security benefits for those receiving non-covered pension income, sometimes cutting benefits by as much as half the pension amount.
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) affected survivor or spousal benefits, reducing them by two-thirds of a retiree’s pension amount. In some cases, this led to Social Security benefits being reduced to zero.
Ongoing Debate Over the Repeal
Despite bipartisan support for the Social Security Fairness Act, the repeal remains contentious.
Some experts argue that WEP and GPO were necessary to prevent a loophole allowing government retirees to claim benefits unfairly. “Government retirees were exempt from Social Security taxes for their covered work,” said retired CPA Gary Brewer. “Social Security should remain a secondary source of income for them, not a primary one.”
Others argue that the repeal creates an unfair advantage for public-sector retirees. Brewer provided an example:
Two workers, Monica and Chandler, each earned a $3,000 monthly Social Security benefit. Neither was eligible for spousal benefits.
However, since Chandler’s earnings came from a non-Social Security pension, he now qualifies for an additional $1,500 spousal benefit under the new law.
“The rest of us just have to accept reduced benefits,” Brewer said.
As the SSA works through its backlog, beneficiaries are encouraged to remain patient. While payments are arriving slower than expected, the agency is committed to completing the process as efficiently as possible.
With retroactive payments expected by the end of March and adjusted monthly benefits beginning in April, retirees impacted by the WEP and GPO repeal can finally look forward to receiving the full Social Security benefits they are entitled to.
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