Retirees, Pay Attention! New Law Increases Social Security Benefits For Some Workers
Mar 18, 2025 11:11AM ● By Jen Gennaro
Retirees rejoice! I received a call this morning from a retired teacher who just found out from her friends that she qualifies for additional benefits from her husband's social security he paid into. After a call to Washington and an easy application, she will be receiving more than $1400 per month for the rest of her life!
The Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025 by President Biden. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
The Act was signed into law on January 5, 2025 by President Biden. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
The Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits of over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes. This law increases Social Security benefits for certain types of workers, including some:
teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states;
federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and
people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.
Other high points:
Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits
- The most convenient way to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits is online at www.ssa.gov/apply.
- Please note that the online application continues to collect pension information until we are able to update it; however, we will not offset the benefit.
- If you are applying for spouse’s benefits, please note that selecting “Family Benefits” will take you to the application for Retirement/Medicare benefits. This process ensures that you will be considered for all benefits you are entitled to.
- We can take an application by telephone for people who did not previously apply for retirement benefits because of WEP or spouse’s benefits because of GPO. If you meet these conditions, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?”, say “Fairness Act.” Then, you'll be asked a few questions. Your answers will help us connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative to take your application.
Surviving Spouse’s Benefits:
- The survivor benefit application is not available online.
- Call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. When the system asks, “How can I help you today?”, say “Fairness Act.” Then, you'll be asked a few questions. Your answers will help us connect you to a WEP-GPO trained representative to take your application.
- For additional eligibility information, visit www.ssa.gov/apply.
As of week ending March 14, 2025, SSA has taken 93,500 new applications since the Social Security Fairness Act was passed. We have completed 78% of the new applications.