The Social Security Fairness Act, signed on January 5, 2025, is a turning point for 2.1 million county and state workers. President Biden added his signature after nearly unanimous support: the Senate passed the bill 76-20 and the House 327-75, turning House Bill 82 into law.
How the Law Changes Things
Before this new law, workers in jobs not covered by the Social Security system faced a puzzling penalty—smaller Social Security checks. Teachers, police officers, firefighters, and many other public employees had their retirements sliced just because their paychecks never had FICA taxes taken out by the state.
Who Will See Bigger Checks?
The law affects thousands in public service, such as:
- peace officers
- firefighters
- state patrol members
- school safety staff
- public school teachers
What Did the Act Fix?
The Social Security Fairness Act wipes out two rules that had been a big roadblock for many employees:
- Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
- Government Pension Offset (GPO)
The big plus: all the changes kick in retroactively. That way, anyone already affected can expect a check for the past months—back to January 1, 2024.
What This Means for You
If you’ve held a job where no Social Security taxes were taken out, here’s what to do:
- Keep an eye on updates at the Social Security Administration (SSA) website.
- Sign in to your My Social Security account at least once a month.
- Remember, the law impacts only Social Security payouts; it doesn’t change any pension you’re already receiving.
Implementation and Progress
The SSA is rolling out the new law right now. Detailed instructions are posted on their official site, so check back regularly.
Next Steps for Affected Workers
- Confirm your eligibility for the new rule.
- Go over your latest Social Security benefit statements to see any changes.
- Call SSA for advice tailored to your own work history.
- Get ready for any back payments you may receive.
A Victory for Public Service
This law fixes an old problem that kept skilled workers from choosing public service jobs, as it unfairly cut their retirement checks.
Stay updated and talk to SSA experts to make the most of your benefits from this historic change.