The Social Security Fairness Act repealed decreases in WEP and GPO provisions, benefiting nearly 3 million seniors. Not everyone is aware that, as of early 2025, the United States’ Social Security system has changed significantly. The shift is due to a new law known as the Social Security Fairness Act.
The name seems serious, and it is, because it eliminates two long-standing policies that have lowered benefits for thousands, if not millions, of pensioners for decades.
If you have ever worked as a teacher, police officer, firefighter, or other public employee and paid into Social Security, you will be interested in this information. Certainly, while these things often take a long time to manifest, it is already happening this time. The move came straight from the top, as it was signed earlier this year when Biden was still in office.
Not all Social Security recipients will receive a payment increase this year
With this law, two old acquaintances known as WEP and GPO are finally gone. They were laws that sounded Greek but, in effect, decreased many people’s benefits simply because they worked in jobs that were not fully covered by the system. It’s like saying to you, “Since you had another pension, we’re taking you out of here.”
Furthermore, more than 3 million pensioners have begun to receive additional benefits as a result of the law reform. However, it does not always happen automatically. Yes, the extra money has begun to be sent, although not everyone has received it in the same amount or time. Some received a retroactive payment into their accounts in March.
Although many situations were resolved automatically, some required manual examination. This can lengthen the process. The Social Security Administration has stated that it hopes to get everything up to date by November. But you know how it goes: you should be on the alert.
Social Security Recipients Could See $600 Boost in 2025 — Eligibility & Payment Dates Inside
Looking at the letter is the simplest approach to determine whether you are receiving the correct amount. If you received a notice from Social Security, it should include the change. The letter normally arrives after the back pay is received, so if you see more money in your account and don’t understand why, don’t worry – an explanation may be on the way. However, if neither the money nor the letter has arrived, it is worthwhile to proceed.
How can beneficiaries know if they are eligible for this increase?
It’s as simple as contacting the Social Security Administration. It’s better to do it sooner rather than later, because the more you wait, the more things can get delayed. If you’re not sure where to begin, the SSA’s online portal can assist you in verifying your status. Just make sure your address and bank account information are up to date. It sounds ridiculous, but more than one person has been left waiting because they did not have that up to date. This reform does not benefit everyone, and it is vital to recognize this.
The primary beneficiaries are public-sector workers who, in their day, contributed to Social Security, even if they received other pensions. We’re talking about people like teachers, police officers, and government employees, many of whom are eligible for the Civil Service Retirement System. However, most state and municipal employees – more than 70%, according to reports – are unaffected by these laws because they already work in Social Security-covered jobs. So, if you belong to that category, you’re unlikely to notice any changes. The main thing here is to understand which category you fall into.
There is a phishing campaign impersonating the Social Security Administration that beneficiaries need to know about
The US Social Security Administration is being impersonated in phishing emails to lure users into installing the ScreenConnect remote access tool, according to Malwarebytes researchers.
Although ScreenConnect is a valid solution for remote IT management, hackers may misuse it to get access to victims’ machines.
According to the phishing emails issued by the cybercriminal organization Molatori, the email campaign says, “You can now access your Social Security statement. We appreciate you opting to get your statements in an electronic format. You can now download your paper.”
