Millions of Americans are now receiving higher Social Security payments—in addition to a lump sum retroactive payment—thanks to the repeal of two rules that had denied benefits to 3.2 million government workers.
The new payments were triggered by the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—two rules designed to prevent people from receiving both public and private sector retirement incomes.
Without the repeals, under WEP, the government would withhold up to $500 per month, and under GPO, spousal and survivor benefit payments would be reduced by up to two-thirds of a recipient’s pension.
By contrast, as of mid-April, the average retroactive payment was $6,710.
The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law in January 2025 by outgoing President Joe Biden. Its implementation was pushed forward by the new administration, which directed the Social Security Administration to pay the funds after President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20.
“President Trump made it very clear he wanted the Social Security Fairness Act to be implemented as quickly as possible,”said Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security. “We met that challenge head-on and are proudly delivering for the American people.”
The WEP and GPO provisions had reduced Social Security benefits for public sector workers, including police officers, firefighters, and nurses, who also received pensions from government jobs.
“With the repeal, these workers can now receive their full Social Security benefits, which they previously could not due to these offsets,” said Roy Kaufman, an attorney and president at Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Centralized Verification Service in Washington, in an emailed statement. “The change directly impacts the financial benefits these workers are entitled to under Social Security, recognizing their contributions to the system and eliminating penalties that were seen as unfair.”
With most payments already made, Kaufman expects the remaining funds to be completed soon.
“The bulk of these payments should reach recipients in the next few weeks,” he noted. “The exact date may vary based on when a person’s benefits cycle occurs, but generally, if they are eligible, they should see the extra funds in their Social Security account soon.”
The SSA has been working to ensure that payments are delivered promptly, and updates “should be available on the SSA’s official website,” Kaufman added.
If eligible recipients haven’t received their extra payments yet, they should first check their Social Security accounts to ensure they are eligible under the new regulations.
“Potential recipients can also contact the Social Security Administration directly through their customer service or visit a local SSA office for assistance,” Kaufman said. “It’s important to keep in mind that due to the processing times, some recipients may experience delays. Recipients should be patient but proactive in reaching out if there are any concerns or discrepancies with their expected payments.”
The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. NTD does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. NTD holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
