Many beneficiaries are set to receive higher benefits starting in April.
The US Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced billions of dollars to more than a million Americans after two provisions that reduce or eliminate the benefits of certain individuals were recently repealed.
The WEP and GPO regulations “reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for more than 3.2 million people who received pensions based on work that is not covered by Social Security (non-compliant pensions).”
In January, former President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Equality Act (SSFA), which terminates both the GPO and the WEP. As of January 2024, millions of Social Security beneficiaries were eligible for retroactive payments.
“President Trump has made it very clear that he wants to implement the Social Security Equality Act as soon as possible,” said Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudeck. “We meet that challenge head on and proudly deliver it for Americans.”
The SSA said it continues to pay the remaining retroactive payments.
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Additionally, with the removal of WEP and GPOs, many beneficiaries will be eligible for higher monthly benefits starting in April. The exact increase in payments depends on factors such as the type of Social Security benefits received and the amount of pensions received.
Teachers, police officers, firefighters, federal workers covered by civil service retirement schemes, and employees covered by foreign social security schemes can benefit from the new changes.
Most people who have received retroactive payments will be notified two to three weeks after receiving their payments “from understanding how important it is for the president to pay what they have due soon,” the SSA said.
Murkowski said the WEP provisions reduced social security benefits for those who acquire government pensions, and GPOs reduced benefits for widows, spouses and widows who received government pensions.
“I commend the Social Security Administration for moving so quickly to ensure that Alaska civil servants have access to qualified interests,” she said.
“I’ve been working on the Social Security Equality Act for 22 years. Alaskans are waiting for their interests even longer. I’m grateful to the administration for implementing this law quickly so that we don’t have to wait any more for the benefits that Alaskans have acquired.”
The group said most government officials received both social security and public pensions as they contributed to two plans during their employment.
Less than 30% of workers employed in state and local governments do not participate in Social Security. “These uncovered workers are not denied Social Security for their careers in public services,” instead, “they don’t receive Social Security benefits because they don’t pay Social Security payroll tax.”
“Uncovered workers are not chosen for unfair treatment. In fact, abolishing GPOs and WEPs will result in more favorable treatment. They get more and pay less than anyone else. It will be an unfortunate stairwell.”
SSA increased 2.5% this year with more than 72.5 million beneficiaries, equivalent to an increase of $50 a month.
