If you are a retired teacher, firefighter, police officer, or federal worker, you may soon notice a big boost in your Social Security benefits.
A new law called the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) has changed the rules and brought relief to millions of retirees. For many people, this means bigger monthly checks and even lump sum back payments worth thousands of dollars.
This article explains what the law is, who qualifies, how much money people can get, and what steps you may need to take.
Who Is Eligible For The SSFA?
The new law helps people who receive a pension from government work that did not contribute to Social Security. This includes:
- Retired public workers whose jobs weren’t covered by Social Security
- Spouses who get benefits based on a partner’s pension from such jobs
- Widows and widowers in the same situation
Who Does Not Benefit?
About 72% of state and local government workers already pay into Social Security. Their benefits were never reduced by WEP or GPO, so they will not see any changes.
How Much Money Can You Get?
The SSFA provides two main types of financial help:
- Retroactive lump sum payments – Back payments starting from January 2024.
- Ongoing monthly increases – Bigger Social Security checks going forward.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Benefit Type | Average Amount | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Lump Sum Back Pay | $6,710 | Paid out by March 2025 |
| Monthly Increases | $100 – $1,000+ | Started April 2025 and continue every month |
By July 7, 2025, the SSA had already sent more than 3.1 million payments worth a total of $17 billion.
When Will You See The Money?
If you already received reduced Social Security benefits, the new higher payments began in April 2025. Many retirees also got lump sum payments earlier in the year.
If you applied after the law was passed, your case may take longer, but the SSA is still processing new claims one by one.
Do You Need To Take Any Action?
Most people don’t need to do anything. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) has your correct details and bank account information, the payments should arrive automatically.
You only need to act if:
- You never applied for Social Security because of WEP or GPO.
- Your bank or contact details are not updated with SSA.
In that case, call 800-772-1213 and say “Fairness Act” to speak with a trained SSA specialist.
What Should You Watch Out For?
While this law is great news, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Medicare Deductions: Once your benefits go up, Medicare premiums may again be taken from your Social Security check. Keep paying them manually until SSA officially tells you the switch is done.
- Scams: Be careful of fraudsters. SSA never charges fees or asks for payment to speed up benefits. If someone calls asking for money, hang up.
- Delays in Complex Cases: Some cases need extra review and may take until November 2025 for updates.
The Social Security Fairness Act is one of the biggest improvements for retirees in decades. By removing unfair rules, it ensures that teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other public workers finally get the money they earned. Many retirees are already seeing lump sum back payments and larger monthly checks.
If you think you might qualify but haven’t heard anything yet, don’t wait. A simple phone call to the SSA could help you receive thousands of dollars. With billions already paid out and more on the way, this change is life-changing for millions of American families.
FAQs
What did the Social Security Fairness Act change?
It ended the WEP and GPO rules, which had reduced benefits for retirees with government pensions not covered by Social Security.
How much extra money can retirees get?
Some retirees receive lump sum payments averaging $6,710 plus ongoing monthly increases ranging from $100 to over $1,000.
Do I need to apply to get the extra money?
Most people don’t need to apply. If SSA already has your details, payments are automatic. But if you never applied or your details are outdated, you must contact SSA.