Big news! The Social Security Administration (SSA) is now sending out payments to millions of people who were missing out on full retirement benefits. Thanks to a new law called the Social Security Fairness Act, over 2.5 million teachers, firefighters, police officers, and others with public pensions are finally getting their money.
Here’s what you need to know about how it all works and when you can expect your payment.
What’s the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act was signed by President Biden in January 2025. This new law helps fix a problem that affected people who worked in public service jobs like teaching and firefighting.
Before the law, two old rules—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—took away some of their Social Security money. But now, those rules are gone, so people can get their full benefits and even get paid for the money they missed out on before.
How Many People Will Get Payments?
According to the SSA’s update on May 27, 2025, they’ve already sent out retroactive payments to over 2.5 million people. In total, about 3.2 million people are affected by this change. That’s a lot of people who will finally get the benefits they deserve.
When Will I Get My Payment?
The SSA started sending payments on February 25, 2025. Most people got their retroactive payment by the end of March 2025, right into the same bank account where they get their regular Social Security payments.
Starting in April 2025, people began seeing their new monthly payments go up too. Just remember that Social Security payments always come with a one-month delay, so the April payment was actually for March.
What If I Haven’t Gotten My Payment Yet?
Some cases take longer to process, especially if they’re complicated. About 200,000 cases still need to be processed manually. The SSA says they’re working hard to finish all payments by November 2025.
If you’re still waiting, you can check online at ssa.gov/myaccount or call 1-800-772-1213. Make sure your address and bank information are up to date so you don’t miss out.
How Much Will My Benefits Go Up?
How much your monthly payment increases depends on the type of Social Security benefit you get and your pension. Some people will only see a small increase, but others could get over $1,000 more each month!
How Will I Know If My Payment Changed?
If you get a retroactive payment or a monthly increase, the SSA will send you a letter explaining what’s changed and why.
What If I Never Applied for Retirement?
If you never applied for retirement benefits—or spousal benefits—because of the old laws, you might need to apply now. You can do that easily at ssa.gov/apply. As of the end of May 2025, over 200,000 new applications have already been submitted, and the SSA has finished processing 87% of them.
The Social Security Fairness Act is a big win for millions of public workers who were previously blocked from getting the full benefits they earned. Over 2.5 million people have already received their retroactive payments, with more on the way.
If you think you’re eligible, don’t wait—check your information with the SSA and make sure you’re ready to get your payments. Stay patient and keep checking your mailbox and bank account for updates. If you have questions, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov. With this new law, more people than ever can get the benefits they deserve!