If you’ve been waiting on your retroactive Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO), the wait just got shorter.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that payments are already being distributed, well ahead of the initial schedule.
What’s Changing?
The SSA originally projected that it could take more than a year to begin issuing payments to those affected. But thanks to automation, payments have started this week and will continue rolling out through March.
The retroactive benefits are backdated to January 2024, and the SSA estimates that most retirees will receive their payments by the end of March. However, some “complex cases” will take longer since they require manual processing.
What’s the Holdup for Some Retirees?
While automation is speeding things up, certain cases need a human touch. If your case falls into this category, SSA says you may need to wait beyond March before seeing your payment. They recommend holding off on inquiries until April to allow processing to continue smoothly.
Why These Payments Matter
The payments stem from the Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed WEP and GPO—two provisions that reduced or completely eliminated Social Security benefits for many public sector employees, including federal retirees under the Civil Service Retirement System, teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
Who’s Affected?
- WEP: Reduces Social Security benefits for those who worked in both a private sector job covered by Social Security and a public sector position that wasn’t covered.
- GPO: Reduces or eliminates Social Security for surviving spouses who also had a public sector job. The reduction can be as much as two-thirds of the pension, often wiping out the benefit completely.
Overall, an estimated 3 million retirees and surviving spouses are impacted by WEP and GPO.
What’s Next?
Starting in April, the SSA will also begin increasing monthly benefits for those who had their payments reduced by WEP and GPO. While the expedited schedule is welcome news, those with complex cases may still face delays.
If you’re affected and want to check on the latest updates, head to the Social Security Administration’s website.
If you’ve been waiting for your retroactive Social Security payments, they’re arriving sooner than expected. But if your case is complicated, it may still take some time. Either way, relief is finally on the way.
