Retirees Celebrate Social Security Retro Payments After WEP/GPO Repeal

Boston, MA – In a significant development for retirees, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that it has begun issuing retroactive payments for those affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws. These payments date back to January 1, 2024, following the signing of the Social Security Fairness Act by President Joe Biden.

The Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, 2025, effectively repeals the WEP and GPO retroactively. The SSA had previously warned retirees that full implementation could take over a year, citing the outdated technology used by the agency. However, officials have made strides to expedite the processing of these payments.

“When HR82 was signed, we thought it would take months to complete implementation. Thankfully, our allies in Congress demanded a faster timeline,” said Shawn Duhamel, CEO of the Association of Mass Retirees.

The retroactive payments represent 14 months of Social Security benefits that had been previously reduced under the WEP or GPO laws. For many retirees, this news has brought unexpected relief. “I was shocked when I saw that money in my account. I never thought I’d see the day this reduction would end,” said Lester Friedberg, a longtime association member.

According to SSA officials, most affected beneficiaries will receive a written statement detailing their new benefits after the retroactive payments have been processed. These payments began rolling out to retirees on February 27, 2025, with a targeted completion by the end of March.

Mass Retirees remains actively engaged with Congress and the SSA to ensure smooth implementation and provide updates to their members. “This is a big win for fairness and justice for retirees who have served in public roles. It proves that persistent advocacy can lead to impactful change,” stated Frank Valeri, president of Mass Retirees.

As retirees navigate this new landscape, SSA encourages those previously denied spousal or survivor benefits under the GPO to reach out for assistance. It’s a pivotal moment for many who thought they would not see justice in their lifetime.