Social Security Fairness Act

The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) was signed into law Jan. 5, 2025. The law ends unfair reductions to Social Security benefits for public workers (e.g., teachers, police, firefighters) and their families caused by receiving government pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. It repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) rules. The law provides retroactive payments and increased monthly benefits for millions of affected workers, restoring full Social Security payments for those with non-covered pensions. The Social Security Administration is still processing some adjustments.

What To Do if You're Affected

• Update your info: Create or sign in to your account at my Social Security to make sure your personal details are current.
• Apply if needed: If you haven't applied and think you're eligible, apply online at ssa.gov/apply.

What the Act Does 

• Repeals WEP and GPO: Eliminated the WEP that reduced a worker's own Social Security benefit and the GPO that cut spousal/survivor benefits, if they also get a public pension from non-Social Security work.
• Increases benefits: Restores full Social Security benefits for teachers, police, firefighters, federal employees and others with non-covered pensions, potentially increasing payments significantly.
• Retroactive payments: Provided one-time back payments for those affected between January 2024 and June 2025, with most beneficiaries seeing adjustments in 2025.

Who Is Affected

• Current and former state/local government workers (teachers, firefighters, police) with non-covered pensions.
• Spouses and survivors of public employees who also qualify for Social Security.
• Federal employees under the Civil Service Retirement System.

For more details, visit the Social Security Administration’s FAQ page.