The United States Senate made history when it passed the Social Security Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation to eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Since then, many IAFF members have been asking how the change will impact them. We’ve answered some of your most commonly asked questions about how the repeal could benefit you.
(Updated Feb. 26 with new information from the Social Security Administration.)
How will I know if the Social Security Fairness Act impacts me?
To determine if the repeal of the WEP and GPO penalties will impact you, the IAFF recommends all retirees:
Review your employment history:
Identify if you have worked in a public sector job and/or received a pension through your public employment. These provisions typically affect state and local government employees who have also worked a job(s) that required employees to pay into Social Security.
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA):
The Social Security Administration (SSA) can provide personalized information about how these changes in the Social Security Act may impact your benefits. They can also help you calculate your new monthly benefits once the bill is signed into law.
You can call the SSA at (800) 772-1213 between 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (local time), Monday through Friday. Retirees can also visit the SSA’s website (www.ssa.gov) for more information and resources related to their Social Security benefits and the WEP.
Those wishing to discuss the changes in person can click here to find the closest SSA field office near you.
Consult your financial advisor:
Given the enormous change in the Social Security Act due to the repeal of WEP/GPO, the IAFF recommends contacting your financial advisor to get more information about how these changes may impact your monthly benefits.
Not sure who to consult? You can find a list of IAFF Financial Corp partners here.
What is the effective date of the Social Security Fairness Act?
When enacted into law, the Social Security Fairness Act makes payments retroactive to January 2024.
When will I see an increased benefit from the law?
From the Social Security Administration:
Starting the week of February 24, 2025, SSA is beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the WEP and GPO
If a beneficiary is due retroactive benefits as a result of the Act, they will receive a one-time retroactive payment, deposited into the bank account SSA has on file, by the end of March. This retroactive payment will cover the increase in their benefit amount back to January 2024, the month when WEP and GPO no longer apply.
Social Security benefits are paid one month behind. Most affected beneficiaries will begin receiving their new monthly benefit amount in April 2025 (for their March 2025 benefit).
Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment.
NOTE: A beneficiary may receive two mailed notices, the first when WEP or GPO is removed from their record, and a second when their monthly benefit amount is adjusted for their new monthly payment amount. They may receive the retroactive payment before receiving the mailed notice.
We have been able to expedite payments due to the use of automation. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount.
We urge beneficiaries to wait until April to inquire about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally throughout March.
Beneficiaries should also wait until after receiving their April payment before contacting SSA to ask about their monthly benefit amount because the new amount will not be reflected until April for their March payment.
What can I do while I wait to receive my increased benefits?
While it will take time to return owed benefits to all three million retirees, IAFF members can take steps to avoid additional delays.
Ensure all necessary paperwork is in order as soon as possible for when SSA does contact you. Having pension information, bank deposit information, and spousal benefits eligibility prepared can help to avoid unnecessary delays.
I previously filed for Social Security benefits and they are partially or completely offset.
From the Social Security Administration:
“You do not need to take any action except to verify that we have your current mailing address and direct deposit information if it has recently changed. Most people can do this online with their personal ‘my Social Security’ account without calling or visiting Social Security. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create your account.”
I have not previously filed for Social Security benefits.
From the Social Security Administration:
“If you are receiving a public pension and are interested in filing for benefits, you may file online at ssa.gov or schedule an appointment.”
I’ve never applied for spousal or survivor benefits before due to the GPO offset. Can I still apply?
From the Social Security Administration:
“Because the GPO could reduce or eliminate Social Security spouses’ or surviving spouses’ benefits, some non-covered pension recipients may have never applied for benefits.
If you never applied for spouses’ or surviving spouses’ benefits:
You may need to file an application. The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin. Filing sooner might help you get a higher benefit amount.
- The most convenient way to apply for retirement or spouses’ benefits is online at www.ssa.gov/apply. The online application will still collect pension information until the application is changed; however, SSA will not offset the benefit.
- SSA will take an application by telephone for people who did not previously apply for retirement benefits because of WEP or spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits because of GPO. If you meet these conditions, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?”, say “Fairness Act.” Then, you’ll be asked a few questions. Your answers will help us connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative to take your claim.
- The survivor benefit application is not available online.
- People who cannot apply online for benefits should call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to learn other ways to apply.
If you are not sure whether you ever applied for spouses’ or surviving spouses’ benefits:
You may need to file an application. The date of your application might affect when your benefits begin. Filing sooner might help you get a higher benefit amount.
If you are entitled to spouses’ or surviving spouses’ benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced or eliminated by GPO; OR if you are entitled to retired or disabled workers’ benefits, and your benefits are currently being reduced by WEP:
Consider reviewing the mailing address and/or direct deposit information that SSA has on file for you. This will allow SSA to adjust your benefits as quickly as possible. Generally, no other actions are needed at this time.
The easiest way for most beneficiaries to update their address or direct deposit information with SSA, if needed, is online with a personal my Social Security account. There is no need to call or visit SSA. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create an account.”
Why did I receive a request from SSA regarding my pension amount?
From the Social Security Administration:
WEP and GPO still apply to months prior to January 2024. In some instances, we may need to request the amount received for your pension from work not covered by Social Security to verify we are paying you correctly for these months.
How did my Senators and Representatives vote?
The Social Security Fairness Act received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle voted in favor of repealing the WEP/GPO during the course of the bill’s consideration.
Check the IAFF’s Legislative Scorecard to see how your Senators and Representatives voted.
When will the bill be signed into law?
President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act on Jan. 5, 2025.
