Recent legislation has brought good news for certain Social Security recipients, with some expecting larger payments this week.
A significant change to the system is tied to a law signed just before former President Joe Biden left office, affecting beneficiaries whose payments were previously reduced.
What Changed with the New Law?
Previously, individuals who received a public sector pension during retirement faced restrictions on their Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced the amount of Social Security benefits they were entitled to.
However, a new law, known as the Social Security Fairness Act, was enacted to reverse these restrictions for eligible recipients. This change means that individuals impacted by WEP and GPO provisions will see their monthly benefits increase and will also receive a one-time retroactive payment going back to January of the previous year.
What is the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act aims to correct the financial disadvantages that retirees who receive public pensions faced under WEP and GPO. According to this law, those affected will receive:
- An increase in their monthly Social Security payments.
- Retroactive payments that began in February, covering the period from January of the previous year.
These retroactive payments and new monthly benefit amounts will be issued in phases, and the process is expected to be completed by early November 2025.
When Will You Receive the New Monthly Payment?
Social Security recipients who are affected by this law will begin to see their new monthly payments starting in April. However, the payments may not be uniform for all recipients, as processing continues.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has indicated that while they are working to expedite the adjustments, some may experience delays in receiving their full new benefit amounts.
Officials from the SSA urge recipients to wait until April before inquiring about retroactive payments. As of March 28, about 75% of the adjustments had already been processed, impacting approximately 2.3 million beneficiaries.
April 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule
For those closely monitoring their payments in April, here is the regular Social Security payment schedule:
| Date | Birth Date Range |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 9 | Birth dates between 1st-10th |
| Wednesday, April 16 | Birth dates between 11th-20th |
| Wednesday, April 23 | Birth dates between 21st-31st |
It’s important to note that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive only one payment in April, but they will receive two in May: May 1 and May 30.
What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your Payment
If you don’t receive your Social Security payment on your scheduled date, the SSA advises contacting your bank or financial institution first to check for any delays.
If no issue is found, you should reach out to the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213 or contacting your local Social Security office for assistance.
The Social Security Fairness Act has provided relief to many retirees who were previously disadvantaged by WEP and GPO.
Beneficiaries will see increased monthly payments starting in April and will receive retroactive payments covering the previous year. Keep track of your payment schedule, and be sure to contact the SSA if any issues arise with your payments.
FAQs
When will I start receiving my new Social Security payment?
Your new monthly benefits should begin in April, with the exact timing depending on your case’s processing.
How long will it take for all payments to be updated?
The SSA expects that all beneficiary records will be updated by early November 2025.
What if I don’t receive my payment on the scheduled date?
If your payment is delayed, first check with your bank, then contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office.