The Social Security Fairness Act, signed on January 5, 2025, eliminated the WEP and GPO provisions, which reduced benefits for public employees. More than 2.8 million people, including teachers, firefighters and police officers, will receive increased monthly payments starting in April 2025.
The WEP and GPO provisions adjusted benefits for those who had pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. Its repeal, retroactive to January 2024, generated retroactive payments distributed in March 2025. The implementation faced logistical challenges, according to SSA reports and specialized media.
May continues to deliver increased benefits for Social Security retirees
On February 25, 2025, SSA began the payment adjustment. Recipients received retroactive amounts averaging $6,710 in March. The increased monthly payments began in April, corresponding to March 2025. In May, the increased amounts will continue without additional events.
Raises vary depending on work history and contributions. Some reported increases of more than $1,000 per month. Groups such as teachers in states without Social Security coverage benefit the most. About 28% of state and local public employees were affected by WEP or GPO.
The SSA enabled a simplified process for new applicants on its web portal or by phone. They recommend updating contact information and direct deposit. “The retroactive payments were already distributed in March 2025, covering from January 2024,” a spokesperson indicated on behalf of the agency.
However, those who saw their payments reduced, after retroactive payment, could continue to receive increased payments that are, in reality, money that always belonged to them and was improperly withheld.
In any case, some beneficiaries are still waiting for the adjustment in their payments: the SSA estimates that 92% of the adjustments will be completed before July 2025, as an official from the federal agency explained to us by phone.
The maximum amounts of Social Security in 2025
These amounts are the maximum possible benefits for those who worked at least 35 years with income equal to or greater than the annual Social Security tax limit ($176,100 in 2025):
- At age 62: $2,831
- At age 67 (full retirement age for those born in 1960 or later): $4,043
- At age 70: $5,108
Now, the majority of retirees receive amounts less than the maximum: about 99% of recipients see monthly deposits more similar to these averages by age:
- At age 62: $1,298
- At age 65: $1,563
- At age 67: $1,884
- At age 70: $2,038
These averages reflect differences by gender and years of contributions, and do not represent the amount you will receive if it is your decision to claim retirement in 2025.
May payment dates for Social Security retirees
Regarding the upcoming payment dates, May 2025 comes with three different dates, determined by the beneficiary’s birthdate. Retirees born between the 1st and 10th of the month will receive their payments on Wednesday, May 14.
Those with birthdays from the 11th to the 20th will be paid on Wednesday, May 21, while individuals born between the 21st and 31st will get their payments on Wednesday, May 28.
Additionally, beneficiaries who began receiving Social Security before May 1997 or those who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive their payments on May 2, advanced for the day 3 which falls on an weekend.