Social Security Fairness Act: What You Need to Know
Updated: January 6, 2025
On January 5, 2025, President Biden signed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), H.R. 82, into law. This long overdue legislation will ensure that millions of retired public servants—including tens of thousands here in Maine—receive the full Social Security benefits they deserve by repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which unfairly reduced the Social Security benefits that public employees or their spouses have earned. The new law even includes a provision to pay some recipients retroactively for Fiscal Year 2024.
The Social Security Administration is evaluating how to implement the SSFA, and will provide more information and guidance as soon as possible.
Stay tuned for updates here and on the Social Security Administration website.
In the meantime, here are answers to some of the more common questions we’ve received:
What should I do if I previously filed for Social Security benefits and they are partially or completely offset?
At this time, you do not need to take any action except to verify that we have your current mailing address and direct deposit information if it has recently changed. Most people can do this online with their personal my Social Security account without calling or visiting Social Security. Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount to sign in or create your account.
I have not previously filed for Social Security benefits. How do I do that?
If you are receiving a public pension and are interested in filing for benefits, you may file online at ssa.gov/apply or schedule an appointment.
Read my op-ed in the Portland Press Herald about how this legislation will help Mainers.
