Social Security Fairness Act: How much will your monthly benefit increase from April 2025?

On: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 9:26 AM

On January 5, 2025, then-President Joe Biden approved the Social Security Fairness Act, abolishing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions had reduced or even eliminated the benefits of workers who received pensions from jobs that were not covered by the Social Security system, such as educators, police officers, and firefighters.

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Retroactive payments and increased monthly benefits

As a result of this law, more than 3.2 million beneficiaries, almost entirely from the public service sector, received retroactive payments to make up for cuts to their benefits. The bulk of those payments were aged more than $7.5 billion as of March 2025 to about 1.13 million people, with each one receiving an average of $6,710.

Besides these payments in back pay, the said beneficiaries will enjoy increased monthly payments starting April 2025. According to the Congressional Budget Office, public sector retirees are expected to earn additional averages of $360 monthly by December 2025 and could increase to about $460 by December 2033.

The Social Security Administration’s role

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made it an urgent priority to operationalize these changes. SSA Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek said the agency is working hard to produce the first retroactive payments from February and commence increased monthly benefits from April to ensure implementation of the law as quick as possible.

By how much will monthly benefits increase?

The increase in monthly benefits will differ from person to person. The final amount is determined not only from the type of benefits but also from the amount of the pension. While some beneficiaries would receive an increase of fairly small amounts, an increase of over a thousand dollars a month could be seen by others.

WEP and GPO removal is an equal reform in Social Security benefits such that it enables public servants like teachers, police officers, and firefighters to receive full benefits.

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For further information

Beneficiaries desiring to know more information or confirm eligibility can have specific information concerning their status by visiting the official website of the SSA.

Conclusion

The Social Security Fairness Act constitutes a great leap toward rectifying unfairnesses that have existed within the Social Security system for many years, particularly for public servants like teachers, firefighters, and police officers. By abolishing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), this act ensures much of the benefit to millions of hardworking Americans at long last. With retroactive payments, and enhanced monthly benefits starting April 2025, it is evident that the government will value fairness and financial justice. Beneficiaries will now experience an average increase of up to $360 per month by year’s end, thus rising in the next decade. For some, it would mean an extra amount of over $1,000 each month, providing much-needed relief amidst rising living costs. This act not only restores financial security to seniors but also casts a promising light on Social Security in the eyes of those who have given their lives to serving the public.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Social Security Fairness Act?

A. The Social Security Fairness Act is proposed legislation aimed at eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduce Social Security benefits for certain public sector workers.

Q2. Has the Social Security Fairness Act been passed into law?

A. As of now, it is still under consideration in Congress. However, the topic remains active due to its impact on millions of retirees and public employees.