Former President Joe Biden has also signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act. Now it makes retroactive payments available to millions of Americans who are able to benefit from it. Such payments would total as much as $5,108 and are being dispersed through phased allocations. The act nullifies two provisions, namely, the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, that have slashed the benefits of retirees who receive government pensions like teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
Nearly three million public-sector retirees will receive higher monthly payments and retroactive checks covering missed benefits as a result of this legislation. While many have received money according to their dates of birth, some recipients may still be waiting. If you haven’t received your check, here’s what you need to do.
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Step 1: Explore your bank statement and payment schedule
The most important thing to do before doing anything else is to check with your bank about whether there is a pending payment. Payments are sent in waves according to the birth date of the recipients. For example:
- April 9: For those born April 1–10
- April 16: For those born April 11–20
- April 23: For those born April 21–31
In May, the schedule shifts slightly:
- May 14: For those born May 1–10
- May 21: For those born May 11–20
- May 28: For those born May 21–31
To check if the payment CD is now past due, one would need to locate a pending deposit from Social Security, assuming birthday falls within one of these ranges. If one does not find such a deposit, it is possible that eligibility is not the reason for the delay and that processing could be slower than anticipated.
Step 2: Contact the social security administration
If no payment appears in your account, and if you firmly believe you have due payment, it is time to contact the Social Security Administration directly. Have handy your Social Security number, date of birth, and employment history, particularly in public service employment.
The SSA has indicated that it is prioritizing cases and anticipates updating all beneficiary records by early November 2025. The agency is actively processing retroactive and new monthly benefit amounts, although delays can still occur in certain situations. If you are eligible and have not gotten anything, we advise you to reach out to the SSA so your case can be expedited.
What to expect moving forward
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision is likely to increase monthly benefits by an average of $360 and the elimination of the Government Pension Offset could lift monthly payments for surviving spouses by up to $1,190. All of these amounts are also expected to increase with the cost-of-living adjustment each year.
So if you think you might be one of the “chosen ones” by the Fairness Act, here are two steps to follow to claim what is due you. A missing $5,108 check isn’t just a late check-it might also be the result of a system oversight that can be resolved with a little follow-up.
