Social Security Fairness Act
A 2025 federal law that repealed WEP and GPO, raising Social Security checks for millions of public workers and their families.
The Social Security Fairness Act became law on January 5, 2025. It ended two long-standing rules — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — that had reduced or eliminated Social Security checks for people who also earned a pension from federal, state, or local government work that did not pay into Social Security. About 3.2 million people are affected, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, postal workers under older retirement systems, and their spouses and survivors. The Social Security Administration is recalculating monthly benefits and paying back pay covering missed amounts back to January 2024. The work is automatic — most people do not need to apply — but anyone who never filed for a spouse or survivor benefit because GPO would have wiped it out should apply now. Processing is happening in stages, so checks and lump-sum back payments may arrive over several months in 2025. Watch your mySSA account for updates.
In real life
- A retired teacher whose own Social Security was reduced for years gets a higher check starting in 2025 and a lump-sum back payment.
- A widow of a police officer can finally collect the full survivor benefit her husband earned.
- A retired federal CSRS worker has his Social Security recalculated without the WEP cut.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about Social Security Fairness Act
When did the Social Security Fairness Act take effect?+
It was signed January 5, 2025, but the higher benefits apply to payments going back to January 2024.
Do I need to apply?+
Not for an existing benefit. SSA is updating it for you. But file now if you never applied for a spouse or survivor benefit because of GPO.
How long will it take to get my back pay?+
SSA is processing cases in batches. Many people will see new amounts in 2025; complex cases may take longer.
Where can I learn more?+
Visit ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html or call 1-800-772-1213.
Source: ssa.gov