Starting this week, Social Security recipients in the United States who are affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) will begin receiving one-time retroactive payments.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the majority of beneficiaries will receive their money before the end of March, with payments distributed gradually over the following month. These checks are separate from the SNAP Food Stamps checks that will arrive in the coming days.
These payments are for benefits due since January 2024 as part of the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed both provisions. Thanks to process automation, SSA has been able to significantly reduce wait times, though some retirees with more complex cases may take longer to receive their payments.
Beneficiaries will have to wait until April for consultations
The Social Security Administration has advised beneficiaries to wait until April to contact the agency about their payments, as many will not see the changes until the end of March.
SSA originally estimated that the payment distribution process would take more than a year due to budget and staffing constraints, but the use of new technological tools has shortened the timeline.
According to SSA Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek, this move is intended to ensure that beneficiaries receive their payments as soon as possible.
“SSA has prioritized the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act to ensure that people affected by WEPs and GPOs get the benefits they are entitled to without further delay,” Dudek told the press.
Who benefits from these payments?
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, repealed the WEP and GPO provisions, which reduced or eliminated Social Security payments for certain public-sector workers and their surviving spouses. These rules impacted around 3 million people, including:
- Public sector retirees who also worked in the private sector and contributed to Social Security.
- Surviving spouses whose benefits were reduced by up to two-thirds due to GPO.
- Teachers, firefighters and police officers, among other public employees.
With the elimination of WEPs and GPOs, these beneficiaries will be able to receive their full Social Security benefits. The SSA’s official website provides more information on the implementation of this measure.
