Social Security Fairness Act: Retroactive Benefits Already Exceed $7.5 Billion
The Social Security Administration has paid out over $7.5 billion in retroactive benefits to about 1.13 million qualified individuals, marking the complete implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act.
So far, the average retroactive payout is $6,710, according to the SSA.
In April, for their March benefit, eligible people will start to see their increased monthly payout. Continue reading to discover the precise regulations that were eliminated and the individuals who stand to gain from the Social Security Fairness Act.
Following its passage by the House in November, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 5 by former President Joe Biden. Teachers, firemen, postal workers, and police officers will soon get larger benefits because it removes previous regulations that restricted their salaries.
On average, 2.1 million Social Security recipients would see a $360 rise in their payments if the WEP were eliminated, according to the Congressional Budget Office (PDF). By December 2033, this would rise to an average of $460 for 1.8 million beneficiaries.
Reducing the Social Security payments of spouses, widows, and widowers who earned separate government pensions, the Government Pension Offset was established in 1977 and revised in 1983.
December 2025, benefits payments for spouses would rise by about $700 and for surviving spouses by about $1,190 due to the repeal of the GPO. Both amounts would reach their maximums of $860 and $1,520 by the end of 2033.
While the WEP and GPO won’t touch more than 4% of PDF recipients, the effect on those families might be substantial. Benefits due after December 2023 will be subject to the legislation, which means that eligible persons will get back payments.