

The world of Social Security in the United States of America is changing very quickly, and the latest law changes have left millions of Americans unsure of where they stand when it comes to their benefits.
On January 5, 2025, then-President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
These provisions reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for workers with pensions from non-Social Security covered jobs, such as teachers, firefighters and police officers
As a result of this law, more than 3.2 million beneficiaries, mainly public servants, began to receive retroactive payments that compensate for previous reductions in their benefits.
As of March 4, more than $7.5 billion in back payments had been distributed to approximately 1.13 million people, with an average payment of $6,710 per beneficiary.
In addition to the back payments, affected beneficiaries will see an increase in their monthly payments starting in April 2025.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, public sector retirees are expected to receive an average increase of $360 per month in December 2025, rising to $460 by December 2033.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has prioritized the rapid implementation of these changes.
What should first responders do now?
While the SSA works through the implementation process, first responders affected by the repeal of WEP and GPO should take a few key steps:
Check your eligibility: If WEP or GPO previously reduced your Social Security benefits, you may now qualify for an increase. You can apply online or call 1-800-772-1213, mentioning the “Fairness Act” to be directed to SSA representatives.
Update your SSA records: Make sure your contact and banking details are current to avoid payment delays.
Follow official updates: The SSA has a dedicated webpage for news on the Social Security Fairness Act’s rollout.
This news was originally published on this post .
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