Thousands of retirees in Connecticut will soon see an increase in their monthly Social Security payments starting next month.
This comes after a new law changed how payments are calculated for certain public service workers.
Two old provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — had reduced or even eliminated Social Security benefits for those who also received pensions from jobs that didn’t pay Social Security taxes.
These provisions were repealed under the Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill passed by Congress at the end of the last session and signed into law by former President Joe Biden in early January.
The repeal will increase benefits for more than 3 million people across the country, including back pay and future adjustments.
WEP and GPO affected teachers, police officers, firefighters, and government employees who earned pensions from non-Social Security-covered work.
However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) noted that nearly three-quarters of state and local public workers were already covered by Social Security, so they won’t see any changes in their payments.
In February, the SSA began issuing retroactive payments earlier than expected. Over 26,000 people in Connecticut will receive back pay dating back to January 2024.
The average retroactive payment is about $7,500, adding up to around $196 million in total. Eligible recipients should receive this one-time payment directly into their bank accounts by the end of March.
Monthly Social Security checks will also increase starting in April, reflecting benefits owed for March.
The size of the increase will vary — some beneficiaries will see small raises, while others could receive up to $1,000 more per month.
The SSA said it has already processed about 75% of the adjustments related to the Social Security Fairness Act.
Acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek said the agency is working quickly to deliver these payments.
He noted that while complex cases might take longer, most adjustments will be handled quickly to ensure people get the benefits they deserve.
The Windfall Elimination Provision reduced Social Security benefits for people who paid Social Security taxes for fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings (set at $31,275 in 2024).
More than 22,000 beneficiaries in Connecticut were affected by WEP, with most being retired workers. Connecticut was one of 15 states where WEP applied to teachers.
The Government Pension Offset reduced spousal or survivor Social Security benefits by two-thirds of the pension from non-covered work.
Some teachers and government workers saw their spousal benefits reduced to zero due to this offset, leaving them without additional Social Security support.
Many argued that WEP and GPO unfairly targeted public service workers like teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
The push to repeal these provisions brought together bipartisan lawmakers and labor unions, including the Connecticut Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut.
However, critics raised concerns about the cost of the repeal. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that ending WEP and GPO will cost around $196 billion over the next decade.
Without a funding offset, it could accelerate the timeline for the Social Security Trust Fund’s depletion.
Current estimates suggest that the fund can cover full benefits until 2033, but after that, payments could drop by about 20%.
U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-1) opposed the bill because it lacked a funding plan. He had proposed raising the income cap on taxable Social Security earnings to offset the cost, but his version did not pass.
About 708,000 people in Connecticut — roughly 20% of the state’s population — receive Social Security benefits, including retired workers, people with disabilities, and survivors of deceased beneficiaries. Most are retired workers, with around 10% receiving disability income.
While benefit adjustments are being processed quickly, other changes under the Trump administration could complicate things for Social Security recipients.
The SSA plans to reduce its workforce by 12% and consolidate its 10 regional offices into four.
Starting March 31, recipients will also need to verify their identity in person or online, as phone verification will no longer be allowed.
The SSA says this change will help reduce fraud, but critics warn it could create challenges for seniors and disabled Americans who rely on phone-based support.
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