The Social Security Fairness Act has eliminated WEP and GPO (retroactively from January 2024 to today), leading to retroactive payments that began in February 2025 and were largely completed in March 2025. Higher monthly benefits began in April 2025, so May 2025 payments should also reflect these increases.
The WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset) regulations cut benefits to several million beneficiaries, mostly public sector workers (teachers, firefighters, police officers, etc.) and also those with pensions from Social Security systems in other countries that were collected in the United States.
Retroactive Social Security payments that increase in 2025
Starting in April 2025, Social Security in the US will give a break to more than 3.2 million people with an increase in their monthly payments. Among the beneficiaries are retired teachers, firefighters, police officers from several states, federal employees with pensions from the civil system and people who also contributed to social security systems in other countries.
According to the latest reports, some 2.5 million of them will see an average increase of $360 per month, which represents significant economic relief for many households.
But that’s not all: retroactive payments are also being provided that cover what is owed from January 2024 to March 2025. These disbursements began in February 2025, and most beneficiaries have already received them in their account (if not, it is a good idea to contact the SSA).
As of March 4, the average retroactive payment was $6,710, and in total about $7.5 billion has been distributed among just over 1.1 million people.
And in May 2025? That month’s payments will already reflect the full increase, without the cuts previously applied by the controversial WEP and GPO rules (those that reduced benefits to some pensioners). In summary: good news for those who depend on this income, although it is always advisable to review the account statement or consult directly with Social Security to avoid surprises.
Payment dates in May 2025 for Social Security beneficiaries
- Birth between the 11th and the 20th: May 14, 2025.
- Birth between 21 and 31: May 21, 2025.
- If you receive both SSI and Social Security, or started before May 1997, payment will be May 3, 2025.
In one of these payments, you could see an increment if you were reached by the elimination of the WEP and the GPO rules.
If you don’t receive your Social Security payment on time, first check your expected payment date (usually based on your birthdate or benefit type). If it’s late, wait three business days before taking action—sometimes delays happen due to weekends or bank processing.
After that, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or check your mySocialSecurity account online for updates. If your payment method changed recently (like a new bank account), verify the details with SSA. For serious delays or suspected fraud, you can also visit your local SSA office—just schedule an appointment first to avoid long waits.
