In 2025, many Americans received a pleasant financial surprise from Social Security. If you saw a bigger deposit than usual, it is probably because of changes brought by the Social Security Fairness Act. Let’s break down exactly what happened and what you should know about it.
What Changed With the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act removed two old rules: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These rules had been cutting the Social Security benefits of millions of people, mainly public sector workers like teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
They also affected people who had earned pensions from foreign countries but were collecting Social Security in the US.
Since the law now cancels WEP and GPO retroactively from January 2024, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began sending retroactive payments from February 2025. By March 2025, most people had already received their back payments.
How Much Were the Retroactive Payments?
According to reports:
- On average, retroactive payments were about $6,710.
- Around 1.1 million people received these payments.
- A total of $7.5 billion was distributed.
These back payments covered money owed from January 2024 to March 2025.
If you haven’t received your payment yet, it’s a good idea to check your mySocialSecurity account online or contact the SSA directly.
Higher Monthly Social Security Payments From April 2025
Starting April 2025, Social Security benefits increased for about 3.2 million people. Around 2.5 million of them are now getting an average extra $360 per month. This includes:
- Retired teachers
- Firefighters
- Police officers
- Federal employees with civil pensions
- People who contributed to foreign pension systems
This boost brings much-needed relief to many families who rely heavily on Social Security income.
What About May 2025 Payments?
May 2025 payments will continue reflecting the full increase, without the previous cuts caused by WEP and GPO. If you are affected, you should already see the bigger amount directly deposited into your account.
Here are the payment dates for May 2025:
- Born between 11th and 20th – Payment on May 14, 2025
- Born between 21st and 31st – Payment on May 21, 2025
- Receiving both SSI and Social Security, or started before May 1997 – Payment on May 3, 2025
Always check your bank account or mySocialSecurity portal to confirm the payment.
What to Do if Your Social Security Payment Is Delayed?
If your payment doesn’t arrive on time:
- First, wait three business days after your scheduled payment date.
- Sometimes, delays happen because of weekends or bank processing times.
- After that, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- You can also check your mySocialSecurity account online for updates.
- If needed, visit your local SSA office. It’s best to make an appointment first to avoid long waits.
Also, make sure that if you have recently changed your bank account or address, your information is updated with the SSA to avoid any payment issues.
The removal of WEP and GPO has brought real financial relief to millions of retired Americans. The retroactive payments and higher monthly benefits are helping many households manage better.
However, it’s important to stay updated by regularly checking your Social Security account or contacting SSA if there are any doubts. Wise financial planning and regular monitoring will ensure you make the most of your well-deserved benefits.
