>>Social Security Highlighting Social Security Fairness Act Impacts

The Social Security Fairness Act eliminated two provisions that affected Social Security payments for people who receive non-covered pensions.

Jack Myers with Social Security explains the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) affected what most recipients of non-covered pensions could receive on their own or a spouse’s Social Security record.

Over 3.2 million people will be affected by this. According to Myers, most people will receive their retroactive payments by the end of March. Many will receive their higher monthly payments starting in April.

The amount will vary from person to person depending on factors such as earnings history, pension amounts, and type of benefit. Myers notes notices will be mailed, but the retroactive payment will arrive two to three weeks before the letter. Social Security has expedited the updates through automation, but some cases are more complex and will require manual intervention.

If you did not apply for Social Security benefits as a spouse or surviving spouse because of Government Pension Offset, you will not receive a retroactive payment and will need to contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 to apply.

If you applied but have not been getting a monthly payment from Social Security because of Government Pension Offset, you may need to contact them to update your direct deposit information.    

If you visit the website at www.ssa.gov you can find the Social Security Fairness Act page at the top of the homepage. They will keep updating that with information you need to know.