The Social Security Administration (SSA) has started issuing retroactive payments under the Social Security Fairness Act, benefiting police officers, firefighters, EMS providers, and other public sector employees. This change comes after the repeal of two policies—Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—that previously reduced Social Security benefits for certain retirees.
What Is the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden on January 5, 2025, removed restrictions that lowered Social Security benefits for workers with government pensions or other non-Social Security-covered retirement plans.
This repeal allows retired first responders and other affected workers to receive full benefits without reductions.
Billions Already Paid in Retroactive Benefits
As of March 4, 2025, SSA has distributed over $7.5 billion in back payments to more than 1.1 million retirees.
- Average payment: $6,710
- Payment period covered: Benefits owed since January 2024
- First deposits began: Late February 2025
- Completion target: All payments processed by March 2025
Complex cases that require manual review may take longer to process.
Who Qualifies for Retroactive Payments?
You may be eligible if your benefits were previously reduced by WEP or GPO.
Eligible Groups:
- First responders – Firefighters, police officers, and EMS providers in states where pensions were not covered by Social Security
- Federal employees – Retired workers under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)
- Workers with foreign Social Security benefits
- Spouses & surviving spouses – Those whose benefits were previously reduced by GPO
When Will You Receive Your Payment?
- One-time retroactive payment (for benefits owed from January 2024) – Deposited by March 2025
- Higher monthly benefits (reflecting WEP/GPO repeal) – Starts April 2025
- Regular Social Security benefits are paid one month in arrears, meaning March benefits arrive in April
Do You Need to Take Any Action?
Most retirees do not need to do anything to receive their payments. However, SSA advises beneficiaries to update their mailing address and direct deposit information online through their My Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Exceptions:
- If you never applied for Social Security due to WEP/GPO, you must file an application to start receiving benefits.
What’s Next?
SSA officials urge patience as payments are processed throughout March. If you qualify for higher monthly benefits, wait until you receive your April 2025 payment before checking on your updated amount.
- As of March 7, SSA has processed 76% of 81,000 new applications under the Fairness Act.
- The agency continues working through remaining cases to ensure all eligible retirees receive their payments.
Conclusion
The Social Security Fairness Act is a significant win for first responders and public sector employees. By eliminating WEP and GPO, thousands of retirees will finally receive full benefits without unfair reductions. If you’re affected, ensure your bank and contact details are up to date and, if needed, apply for benefits as soon as possible.
