The Social Security Fairness Act 2026 is a major reform that corrects long-standing reductions in Social Security benefits faced by certain public sector workers and retirees. This law was introduced as H.R. 82 in the 118th Congress and signed on 5th January 2025, ending two controversial rules that had reduced Social Security benefits for people receiving pensions from non–Social Security-covered jobs.
In this article, we will discuss details related to the Social Security Fairness Act, including its Overview, Repeal of WEP and GPO, its Benefits, Retroactive Payment, and Calculation After WEP and GPO Removal.
Social Security Fairness Act
For many years, workers were impacted by two rules called WEP and GPO, which work created in the 1980s to stop double-dipping. But in reality, they seriously impacted people who worked in public service, like teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
Instead of being fair, these rules lowered their retirement income, even though they had paid into the system in different ways, which is why many people are demanding for change.
Social Security Benefits 2026 Overview
| Authority | Social Security Administration |
| Name of Law | Social Security Fairness Act |
| Bill Number | H.R. 82 (118th Congress) |
| Country | USA |
| Effective Period | 2025-2026 rollout |
| Benefit Increase | Varies (Up to $1000) |
| Main Purpose | Remove WEP & GPO restore benefits |
| Beneficiaries | Over 2.8 million people |
| Category | US Finance |
| Official Website | https://www.ssa.gov/ |
Repeal of WEP and GPO
The Social Security Fairness Act removes both WEP and GPO from the system, which means Social Security benefits will no longer be reduced because of pensions from non-covered jobs. First, WEP earlier lowered retirement or disability benefits by changing the calculation formula, which leads to low monthly payments, but now benefits will be calculated normally.
Second, GPO earlier reduced spousal and survivor benefits by two-thirds of a person’s pension and sometimes eliminated them completely, but now these benefits will also be paid in full without any special deductions.
Who Benefits from Social Security Fairness Act
- More than 2.8 million people will benefit from the Social Security Fairness Act.
- The main beneficiaries include teachers, police officers, federal employees under the Civil Service Retirement System, workers with foreign-covered jobs, and their spouses.
- Only those who were impacted by WEP or GPO will see an increase in their payments.
- SSA Benefit increases vary by person and can range from small monthly amounts to more than $1000, depending on work history and pension size.
Benefit Calculation After WEP & GPO Removal
With WEP and GPO removed, everyone now gets Social Security payments using the normal calculation method. Retirement benefits now depend only on your Social Security-covered work, and spousal or survivor benefits are no longer reduced because of another pension. Earlier, even a small pension could reduce a person’s Social Security check by hundreds of dollars each month.
Retroactive and One-Time Back Payments
- Eligible beneficiaries receive a one-time lump-sum payment for benefits owed from January 2024 onward.
- By July 2025, the SSA had sent over 3.1 million payments totaling about $17 billion.
- The Retroactive payment amount is directly deposited into the bank accounts already on file.
- A notice is mailed to explain the payment, and the payment is valid even if it arrives first.
How to Receive Your Updated Benefits
- For current beneficiaries, no action is usually required because adjustments are processed automatically as long as the SSA has proper information.
- People can check their status through my Social Security account or by calling the SSA directly.
- New applicants who previously avoided applying due to WEP or GPO can now apply, though normal retroactive limits still apply.
FAQs
What is the Social Security Fairness Act 2026?
It is a law that removes WEP and GPO, so people who get pensions from non-Social-Security jobs can now receive their full Social Security benefits.
Will everyone benefit from increased social security payments?
No, only those who were affected by WEP or GPO will receive higher payments.
Are retroactive payments provided under this Act?
Yes, eligible beneficiaries receive a one-time lump-sum payment for benefits owed from January 2024 onward.
