The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that beneficiaries may receive two important mail notices in March and April, both carrying positive updates.
These mailings follow the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for certain beneficiaries.
As a result, many recipients will see their monthly benefits increase, and some will also receive a one-time retroactive payment.
Starting February 25, 2025, Social Security began issuing retroactive payments and increasing monthly benefits for those whose benefits were previously reduced under WEP and GPO. If a beneficiary is eligible for back pay, they will receive a lump-sum payment by the end of March.
This payment will be deposited directly into the bank account Social Security has on file and will cover any increases going back to January 2024—the month when the WEP and GPO no longer apply.
Since Social Security payments are made a month behind, most recipients will notice the new monthly benefit starting in April 2025, which reflects the amount for March. This update is part of the broader benefit corrections under the Fairness Act.
The first of the two mail notices will be sent once WEP or GPO is officially removed from a beneficiary’s record. The second notice will inform them of the new monthly benefit amount.
However, some people may receive their retroactive payments before the notice arrives. In fact, over 71% of retroactive payments are expected to be processed by March 7, 2025.
SSA recommends that beneficiaries wait until April before contacting them about their retroactive payment, as the rollout is being done in phases throughout March.
This staggered approach helps ensure that all eligible recipients are paid fairly and on time.
Similarly, beneficiaries are advised to wait until after their April payment arrives before asking about their new monthly amount, as that’s when the updated benefit will first appear, covering their March payment.
For example, individuals who began receiving benefits before May 1997 may have seen their updated payment on April 3.
Others, such as those born between the 1st and 10th of any month, are scheduled to receive theirs on Wednesday, April 9. This organized payment schedule helps manage the distribution efficiently.
If a payment doesn’t arrive on its expected date, SSA suggests waiting three additional mailing days before reaching out, allowing time for any postal delays.
Overall, the Social Security Fairness Act represents a major improvement for retirees affected by the WEP and GPO. The changes bring greater financial fairness and improved support to many beneficiaries moving forward.
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