The Impact of the Social Security Fairness Act
By Brian Famigletti, Managing Director & Head of Marketing
Implications of the Act
The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law by former President Joe Biden in January. But most impacted recipients didn’t begin to see the benefits until April 2025. Here’s everything to know about this substantial change to Social Security.
The new act repealed both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), in an attempt to address criticisms that these provisions unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for millions of Americans, particularly those who worked in public service.
The WEP adjusted social security benefits for individuals with pensions from non-Social Security-covered employment. The GPO reduced spousal and survivor benefits for pension recipients. Repealing both of these policies represented a major shift toward providing retirement support for workers who contributed to the system in multiple capacities.
Impact On Retirees & Families
This repeal could provide benefits for retirees who were penalized under the previous system. Public sector workers like teachers, police officers, and firefighters have historically received reduced Social Security payouts. For these individuals, the repeal could result in a significant rise in monthly Social Security checks, as they can now receive full benefits.
The SSA began paying retroactive benefits for select individuals in late February 2025. But the act began impacting most beneficiaries in April, when the new monthly amount kicked in for March 2025 benefits.
Moving forward, spouses and surviving family members previously affected by the GPO are also due to see an increase in financial support, as the new law grants these individuals full benefits.
What Affected Individuals Can Do
Individuals previously affected by WEP or GPO can take proactive steps now to ensure they fully benefit from the Social Security Fairness Act.
A good starting point may be to review your Social Security statement to understand your current benefits. The Social Security Administration also provides online tools for users to check their earnings history and estimated benefits.
If your benefits have been reduced due to WEP or GPO, contact the SSA to determine if you’re eligible for an adjustment or back payments. If you are not yet registered with the SSA, you can create an account and confirm that your earnings history is accurate. You can also schedule a meeting with an SSA representative for more personalized guidance. Additionally, it might be helpful to discuss with a financial advisor how this potential increase in benefits could affect your overall retirement plan. Reach out to the advisors at Griffin Asset Management for further guidance on this policy change.
Sources:
SSA: What is the Social Security Fairness Act (Act) and who does it help?
JPMorgan: What is the Social Security Fairness Act and how will it impact Social Security benefits?
