The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025. The Act eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for people who receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes. This law increases Social Security benefits for certain types of workers, including fire fighters, in many states.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has already begun paying retroactive benefits (back to January 2024) to many affected beneficiaries. The SSA is also increasing monthly benefit payments going forward for people whose benefits have been affected by the WEP and GPO. 

The amount that beneficiaries receive can vary widely. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit and the amount of the person’s pension, some people’s benefits will increase only slightly, while others may be eligible for over $1,000 more each month.

Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted or who will receive a retroactive payment will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or the retroactive payment. Note that 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 to reflect their new monthly payment amount. They may receive the retroactive payment before receiving the mailed notice.

For more information, visit the Social Security Administration webpage on the Act.