Social Security Fairness Act restores full benefits to millions

On January 5, 2025, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) into law, which restores full social security benefits to millions of retired public service workers, including teachers, firefighters and police officers in many states, as well as those covered by the Civil Service Retirement System such as postal workers and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system and their eligible spouses.

What's changed?

The Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January 2025, cancels and ends two outdated provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset act (GPO) — that had reduced Social Security benefits for public servants with government pensions.

Originally enacted in 1977 and 1983 respectively, these rules penalized millions of workers and their spouses. With their repeal, full benefits are now restored retroactively from January 2024, ensuring fairer retirement income for educators, first responders and other public employees.¹

Who benefits and by how much?

Nearly 3 million retired public service workers — including teachers, firefighters, police officers and postal workers — and their surviving spouses will benefit from the Social Security Fairness Act. The increase is especially meaningful for those who worked in both the public and private sectors.²

However, only people who receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security may see benefit increases. Most state and local public employees — about 72% — work in Social Security-covered employment where they pay Social Security taxes and are not affected by WEP or GPO. Those individuals will not receive a benefit increase due to the new law.¹
 

What's expected?

• Increased benefits — affected individuals will see an average increase of $360 per month in Social Security benefits, though amounts vary based on employment history.² Some people’s benefits will increase very little while others may be eligible for over $1,000 more each month.¹
• Retroactive payments — eligible individuals will receive lump sum payments for lost benefits in 2024.
• Survivor benefits restored — indirectly benefits millions more through survivor benefits to spouses, widows and widowers previously affected by GPO.
• Greater equity — public employees who paid into Social Security while holding other jobs or later in their careers will now receive benefits based on their full contributions.

Do you think you qualify?

What the act covers¹

Applies to your own retirement or disability benefits, or a spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits on someone else’s record. What you need to do depends on your situation and benefit type:

• Already getting benefits?

  • No action needed if you are receiving benefits reduced by WEP or GPO — SSA has your correct mailing and direct deposit info.
  • Want to check your info?
    • Log in: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount or call: (800) 772-1213 

• Never applied?

  • You may need to apply if you didn’t apply before due to WEP or GPO — your application date affects when and how much you get. Other rules (like early retirement reductions) still apply.

• How to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits:

  • Apply online: https://www.ssa.gov/apply
    • Tip: Choose Family Benefits to be considered for all you qualify for.
  • Or call: (800) 772-1213, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET

• Surviving spouse’s benefits:

  • Must apply by phone: (800) 772-1213 — not available online.
  • More info: https://www.ssa.gov/apply

When to expect your SSFA boost?

Starting February 25, 2025, the SSA began issuing retroactive payments and increasing monthly benefits for individuals affected by WEP and GPO.

How’s it going so far?

The law requires SSA to retroactively and prospectively adjust benefits for nearly 3 million people. While most cases are in process now, limited SSA resources mean some complex, manual cases may take up to a year to complete.

This change is a significant relief for those who dedicated their careers to public service, ensuring they receive the full benefits they deserve and the ability to retire well.