Social Security Benefits Expand for Millions with Landmark Reform

The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates longstanding provisions, increasing payouts for public sector retirees, but new digital requirements raise accessibility concerns.

The Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January 2025, removes the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), benefiting over 3 million retirees.
Eligible recipients include certain teachers, firefighters, police officers, federal employees, and workers with foreign social security coverage.
Retroactive lump-sum payments for increased benefits dating back to January 2024 are being disbursed by the end of March, with monthly increases starting in April.
Benefit increases range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 per month, depending on individual factors such as pension size and benefit type.
New online authentication requirements by the Social Security Administration have raised concerns about accessibility for individuals without reliable internet access, particularly in rural areas.