A specific group of Social Security beneficiaries began receiving higher monthly payments since April, and while it appears that some may receive thousands of dollars, not everything is rosy: there is a select group that qualifies.
The change responds to the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act approved in January. The regulations eliminate adjustments that reduced benefits for public workers with pensions not subject to Social Security taxes.
What the SSA says about the payment increment on Social Security checks
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), more than 3.2 million people, including police officers, firefighters and teachers, were affected by the WEP and GPO provisions. These regulations, in effect since 1983, limited access to full benefits for those in jobs with non-contributory government pensions.
The SSA began the adjustment process in February. As of March 5, $7.5 million in retroactive payments had been distributed to 1.1 million beneficiaries, averaging $6,710 per person. By April 11, 81% of the 2.3 million cases had already been processed, according to official data.
The updated amounts began to be reflected in April deposits. “President Trump made it very clear that he wanted the Social Security Fairness Act to be implemented as soon as possible,” said Acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek in an institutional statement.
Eligibility criteria and exclusions: who qualifies and who does not
Not all public employees will receive raises. The law only applies to those who receive pensions for jobs not covered by Social Security. About 72% of state and municipal employees are in contributory roles, so they do not benefit, according to the SSA.
Adjustments vary depending on the type of pension and previous benefits. Some beneficiaries could get minimal increases, while others will receive more than $1,000 extra per month. The SSA emphasizes that the changes are not automatic for all groups mentioned in the media.
Beneficiaries affected by WEP or GPO who already receive payments will see increases beginning in January 2024. SSA clarifies that deposits for that month are typically made in February. Retroactive payments, covering increases from January 2024, were completed at the end of March.
The agency reiterates that December 2023 was the last month with the application of WEP and GPO. The new rules apply to benefits payable starting in January, although their practical receipt occurs in February, according to the institution’s usual schedule.
The SSA has prioritized cases with greater retroactive cases, although it did not specify deadlines for completing the remaining 19%. The institution recommends consulting the my Social Security portal, or Login.gov, or contacting local branches to verify the individual status of the adjustments.
In its official statement, the entity stated: “Social Security Fairness Act: Update to the Elimination of the Windfall Advantage (WEP) and the Government Pension Adjustment (GPO).” The text details technical criteria, but shows delays in the massive dissemination of information.
It is likely that some of the beneficiaries covered by this legislative change will receive their payments on one of the three April payment dates: April 9 for those with a birth date between the 1st and 10th; on April 16 for those whose birthday is between April 11 and 20, and on April 23 for those who have their birthday after the 21st.
