Millions of Americans to Receive $6,710 in Retroactive Social Security Payments—Are You Eligible?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) in the US recently announced that retroactive payments are being made to eligible beneficiaries under the Social Security Fairness Act. The new law, which was passed at the end of 2024, eliminates two important provisions – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Previously, these rules caused Social Security benefits for many government employees, such as firefighters, police officers and teachers, to be cut or eliminated altogether.

Now, thanks to this change, more than $7.5 billion has been distributed to more than 1.1 million eligible beneficiaries, including retroactive payments of an average of $6,710 per person. The payments are being made to compensate for the benefits beneficiaries would have received in 2024 if the law had been in place earlier.

Who will get these payments and when?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is still adjusting monthly payments for beneficiaries who will benefit from this change. Most eligible people will begin receiving revised payments by the April 2025 payment date.

If you haven’t received your retroactive payment yet, the SSA recommends waiting until April. If you still don’t receive a payment after that, you can contact the SSA.

The SSA will soon send official notification letters to eligible individuals. According to estimates, about 3.2 million US citizens may benefit from this change.

Do you need to take any action?

Some people may need to take initiative on their own, especially if:

• ✔️ You are not sure whether you previously applied for retirement, spousal or inherited benefits.
• ✔️ You did not previously apply for these benefits due to WEP or GPO restrictions.

If you fall into any of these categories, SSA recommends that you apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time). During the call, you can connect with a trained representative by saying “Fairness Act.”

How much will monthly payments increase?

In September 2024, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that:

• 📌 Social Security beneficiaries affected by the WEP will receive an average of $360 more monthly.
• 📌 Those affected by the GPO could receive $700 to $1,190 more per month.

This change is a historic reform for millions of retired government workers who were previously denied their entitlement.

What to do next?

If you are affected by this change, take the following steps:

• ✅ Visit SSA’s official website and check for updates.
• ✅ Read the official letter received from SSA carefully and follow the instructions.
• ✅ If you have any doubts, contact the SSA helpline number.

This Social Security Fairness Act has brought great relief to millions of American citizens who were not getting their rightful benefits for years. If you were also employed as a government employee and were affected due to WEP or GPO, then this can be a great opportunity for you.

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