According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), approximately 2.5 million Americans have received increased benefits under the Social Security Fairness Act, or SSFA. These include people who receive retirement benefits from Social Security, as well as people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This is meant to compensate people who previously had reduced benefits due to receiving pensions or benefits through other means.
What is the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) is a law that was originally signed by President biden in January 2025, which changed the existing law about how much someone could receive from Social Security. Previously, anyone who received a government pension would have their benefits reduced to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The SSFA removed these provisions, allowing government pensioners to receive the full amount they would normally be owed.
What Did the Social Security Fairness Act Do?
First and foremost, the SSFA allowed people who received government pensions (such as teachers, firefighters, and police officers) to collect the full amount of their retirement or disability benefits from the SSA. Additionally, it allowed them to retroactively claim all of the benefits they would have been entitled to if the WEP and GPO were not in effect. This amounted to a large cash sum for many former government employees who previously saw their benefits reduced.
How Might it Benefit You?
If you receive a government pension and had your Social Security benefits reduced as a result, you may already have seen an increase in your total benefits thanks to the SSFA. You may also have received additional payment due to filling in the back pay you are owed. If you are currently a government employee with vested benefits in a pension, you can be certain you will receive your full benefits from here forward if and when you need to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, as well as SSDI, or SSI benefits.
What Should You Do?
If you have a disability and need to apply for SSDI or SSI, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling disability claims. Not only can they help you fill out your application, they can argue on your behalf if your claim is denied. That way, you can ensure you have the best possible chances for a favorable outcome.
If you or a loved one need assistance applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, it is important that you seek the guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. The lawyers at Sullivan & Kehoe, LLP have over 50 years of combined experience between its attorneys and are available to you or your loved one in obtaining Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To schedule a consultation with our New York Social Security Disability benefits lawyers, call (631) 823-7155.
