Wed Feb 26 06:10:00 UTC 2025: **Social Security Payments Begin Under New Fairness Act, But Delays and Funding Issues Remain**

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Social Security Administration (SSA) has begun distributing the first wave of increased Social Security payments resulting from the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). While approximately 30,000 initial claims have been processed, including retroactive payments for some, this represents a small fraction of the nearly 3 million Americans potentially eligible for higher benefits.

The act, signed into law on January 5th, retroactively applies to January 2024, requiring the SSA to recalculate past and future benefits. However, the agency lacks the funding necessary to process the millions of claims efficiently, creating significant delays. This has led to criticism, with senators from both parties demanding immediate implementation and citing the SSA’s ongoing staffing shortages and hiring freeze, which exacerbate the problem.

One affected retiree, Mike Barker, a 67-year-old divorced police officer, expressed disappointment at the delay, noting that his anticipated travel plans are on hold due to the prolonged wait. He voiced frustration over the lack of funding, questioning why funds previously withheld weren’t used to cover the recalculations.

The SSA encourages beneficiaries to update their information online through their my Social Security account to expedite the process. The agency also provides updates on its website and encourages subscriptions for timely alerts. The amount of additional monthly benefits varies widely, with some receiving minimal increases while others may see over $1,000 more per month.

The elimination of WEP and GPO, established in 1983, remains controversial. While proponents argue the provisions prevented overpayments to individuals with non-covered pension jobs, critics contend the repeal will unfairly benefit public workers with pensions by potentially increasing their social security payments. The SSA continues to work on processing the remaining claims, but the lack of funding remains a significant hurdle.

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