Why Some Retirees Are Seeing Bigger Social Security Checks: The Reasons Explained

A significant number of older adults are receiving an anticipated financial boost.

And it’s about time.

On January 5th, Congress repealed two provisions: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These changes eliminated or decreased retirement and disability benefits for over 3.2 million employees receiving pensions from jobs not included under Social Security coverage.

Signed into law in 1983, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) lessened the Social Security benefits for employees whose retirement income comes from pensions not subject to Social Security payroll taxes. This measure aimed to stop what’s known as "double dipping," ensuring that public sector workers—federal, state, and local—with non-covered pensions wouldn’t collect greater Social Security payments than those who had contributed consistently through many years of work under Social Security regulations.

The Government Pension Offset Act, enacted in 1977, decreased Social Security spousal, widow, and widower benefits for those who receive pensions from federal, state, or local governments.

I grasp the intent behind these provisions. Nevertheless, educators, law enforcement personnel, or firefighters who previously worked in positions where Social Security taxes were deducted felt they and their partners were experiencing undue penalties.

It's crucial to keep in mind that Social Security relies on your income and employment record to assess your qualification for retirement or disability benefits, as well as your family's entitlement to survivor benefits upon your death. In 2025, each credit will be awarded for every $1,810 earned, with a maximum of four credits possible annually. To become eligible for these benefits, you need to accumulate at least 40 Social Security credits—gained through working and paying into Social Security.

However, these two clauses resulted in millions of retirees receiving less than they should have. Over time, I've received numerous letters from readers expressing frustration that their Social Security benefits were decreased, which made it more difficult for them to manage their finances.

“A lady informed me, ‘At 40, I got divorced, pursued my education, and eventually turned into a teacher.’ She then asked, ‘Can you explain the windfall elimination provision? Does this policy discriminate against educators?’”

I spent many years driving a taxi," one person recounted. "Later, I returned to school and obtained a PhD before securing employment at a university for over two decades. During this time, the institution deducted funds from my salary to contribute to a pension plan. Upon retirement, however, Social Security informed me that I would receive merely half of the Social Security benefits I had accrued due to the existence of my educational pension.

This changed with the Social Security Fairness Act was enacted in January. Its aim is to tackle the grievances of workers who indeed paid Social Security taxes to be eligible for benefits.

This month, numerous individuals began getting retroactive payments.
By March 4, the Social Security Administration had sürecin
صند indicated that it has distributed over $7.5 billion in retrospective payments to approximately 1.1 million individuals since January 2024, following the removal of WEP and GPO restrictions.

The average one-time lump sum payment thus far has been $6,710.

Moving forward, those receiving Social Security benefits who are affected by the removal of both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) will begin noticing an increase in their monthly benefit amounts starting in April.

The amount these individuals will receive each month will differ based on the specific type. Social Security benefit received And the level of an individual's pension, as determined by the SSA, might increase by $1,000 or even higher each month for some individuals.

However, do not presume that being a public service employee means you’ll benefit from this alteration and get extra money. The elimination of WEP and GPO affects individuals who have pensions derived from jobs exempt from Social Security contributions. As stated by SSA, the majority of state and local government workers—approximately 72 percent—who contribute to Social Security won’t see their earnings rise due to this legislation.

Also, watch for fraud If you're impacted by the changes, expect to receive notification via postal mail regarding any retroactive payments and adjustments to your benefits. Do not reply to any messages sent through texts, emails, or social media platforms as these could potentially be used by fraudsters.

To confirm that the mailing address and/or direct deposit details maintained by the SSA for you are accurate, review your individual "my Social Security" profile. Should you not yet possess such an account, you have the option to establish one online. ssa.gov/my account If you have inquiries or difficulties setting up an account, please dial 800-772-1213.

Be ready for an extended delay though. After attempting the number myself, the system indicated that the typical hold time was around 120 minutes. According to the agency, over 6,000 individuals opt to wait daily just to talk with someone regarding the elimination of WEP and GPO provisions, and they recommend reaching out only after receiving your April monthly statement if you have inquiries.

Social Security phone lines are clogged due to staffing reductions implemented by the Trump administration, but regardless, continue attempting to reach the Social Security Administration directly for additional details.