Did You Miss Out on the Social Security Boost?

A historic change to Social Security law is delivering thousands of dollars in retroactive payments and higher monthly benefits to millions of retired public servants—including federal employees.

But not everyone is seeing the benefits automatically. Could you or someone you know be missing out?

The Big News: WEP and GPO Repealed

The Social Security Fairness Act, passed in January 2025, eliminated the long-criticized Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

These rules had significantly reduced—or even eliminated—Social Security benefits for federal retirees who also received a pension from work not covered by Social Security, such as under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).

The change is especially meaningful for:

• CSRS retirees

• Federal employees with prior private-sector or military work

• Widows and widowers affected by GPO penalties

• Teachers, firefighters, and other state/local public employees

For many, this could mean thousands of dollars per year in new Social Security income—in some cases, for benefits that were previously denied altogether.

Do You Need to Take Action?

In most cases, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is proactively recalculating benefits and issuing retroactive payments.

According to recent estimates, over $20 billion in retroactive benefits have already been distributed, with the average lump-sum payment around $6,710. Enhanced monthly payments are scheduled to begin in April 2025.

However, some individuals are falling through the cracks—particularly those who:

• Never applied for Social Security benefits due to WEP or GPO penalties;

• Were denied in the past and assumed they would never be eligible;

• Had benefits reduced but didn’t follow up after the repeal;

• Are survivors (e.g., spouses or widows/widowers) affected by the GPO.

If this sounds like you—or someone in your circle—you may need to take the initiative to claim or reclaim these benefits.

What You Should Do Now

✅ Check Your Benefit Status
Log in to your My Social Security account to view your current benefits and payment history. If you don’t have an account, consider setting one up or calling the SSA directly.

✅ Consider (Re)Applying for Benefits
If you were previously denied due to WEP or GPO, you are now eligible to reapply. Even if you’ve never applied, your situation may have changed under the new rules.

✅ Talk to a Benefits Specialist
Federal retirement and Social Security experts can help you determine whether you’re owed benefits—and how to file correctly. Your agency’s HR office or a certified financial advisor with federal retirement expertise can be a good starting point.

✅ Watch for Updates
The SSA is still working through millions of recalculations. If you’re already receiving Social Security, keep an eye out for an adjustment notice or retroactive payment in your bank account.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table

This is one of the most significant Social Security changes for federal employees in decades. While many will receive the benefit automatically, others must act to claim what they’re owed.

Whether you're a retiree, survivor, or someone with prior denied claims, this is the time to revisit your Social Security eligibility.

If you know a federal retiree who might have been affected by WEP or GPO, forward them this newsletter. It could make a five-figure difference in their retirement income.