If you’ve been waiting for a bump in your Social Security benefits, this could be the moment you’ve been hoping for. As of this week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that 91% of benefit increases under the Social Security Fairness Act have officially been processed — putting millions of retirees just steps away from larger monthly checks and long-awaited back pay.
And if you’ve ever been hit by confusing rules like the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — there’s a good chance you’re on the list.
What Is the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act of 2024 was passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this year to eliminate two controversial rules that have reduced benefits for millions of public sector retirees:
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WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) reduced benefits for people who worked in both Social Security-covered jobs and jobs with a government pension.
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GPO (Government Pension Offset) slashed spousal and survivor benefits for people receiving a government pension, often by hundreds of dollars a month.
These provisions mostly affected teachers, firefighters, police officers, postal workers, and other state and local government employees — many of whom paid into Social Security for part of their careers, but received sharply reduced benefits.
The Fairness Act eliminated both WEP and GPO completely, and promised to retroactively restore full benefits to those impacted.
What’s Happening Now?
According to a new update from the SSA, 91% of eligible beneficiaries have already had their Social Security increases processed. That includes:
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Monthly benefit recalculations that reflect full, unreduced payments
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Lump-sum back pay to make up for lost benefits, going back as far as January 2022
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Automatic corrections — meaning you didn’t need to apply or file paperwork if your record was already in SSA’s system
The remaining 9% of cases are in progress, most of which require additional income verification, pension documentation, or manual case review. SSA says these should be completed by August 2025.
How Do You Know If You’re Included?
You’re likely on the list if:
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You previously had your Social Security benefits reduced due to WEP or GPO
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You worked in both a non-Social Security-covered government job and a private-sector job
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You’re receiving a spousal or survivor benefit that was reduced due to a government pension
The SSA began mailing official benefit adjustment notices in April and will continue through June. If you haven’t received one yet but think you qualify, you can check online:
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Go to SSA.gov
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Log in to your my Social Security account
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Look for any new benefit adjustment notifications or payment history updates
SSA is also launching a dedicated hotline this month to handle questions and appeals related to the Fairness Act.
Why This Matters
For many affected retirees, this isn’t just a policy change — it’s a lifeline.
Some have reported increases of $250 to $600 a month, plus lump-sum payments totaling $5,000 or more. That kind of financial boost can make a big difference in paying for essentials like housing, medication, and food.
Advocates have fought for decades to repeal WEP and GPO, calling the provisions unjust and discriminatory. With the Social Security Fairness Act finally in effect — and 91% of benefit increases processed — relief is no longer a promise; it’s a reality for most.
Bottom Line
If you were impacted by WEP or GPO, you may already be seeing more money in your check — or it’s on the way.
Check your Social Security account today, watch your mail for your official notice, and don’t miss out on what you’re owed.
