Thanks to the newly passed Social Security Fairness Act, thousands of public workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers may now see increased Social Security benefits, and their spouses or survivors could finally qualify for the support they were previously denied.

For years, public workers like teachers and firefighters got shortchanged on their Social Security because of two confusing rules called the Windfall Elimination Provision  & Government Pension Offset (WEP and GPO) basically, if you had a public pension, the government assumed you didn’t need double pension benefits, your pension AND Social Security (rude, right?). But thanks to the new Social Security Fairness Act, those outdated rules are finally getting the boot, meaning you (or your spouse) might finally get the bigger checks you earned in addition to a retroactive payment.

The Game-Changer: Social Security Fairness Act of 2025

As of January 2025, the WEP and GPO penalties have been fully repealed. This is huge news – especially for:

• Divorced spouses who were married 10+ years
• Surviving spouses whose benefits were offset
• Public sector retirees who were denied full benefits due to a government pension

What This Means for You

If you were denied benefits in the past or told you weren’t eligible because of WEP or GPO, you may now qualify.

This includes:
Spousal benefits (up to 50% of an ex or current spouse’s benefit)

Survivor benefits (up to 100% of a deceased spouse’s benefit)

You could now be eligible for monthly income that was previously blocked and potentially even retroactive payments.

Real-World Example:

Let’s say you were a retired teacher who never paid into Social Security but was married for over 10 years to someone who did. Before 2025, GPO may have wiped out your spousal or survivor benefit.

But now?
You may qualify for thousands per year in benefits.

How to Apply or Reapply

Even if you were denied before you can apply now using one of these simple options:

➡️ Online: www.ssa.gov/apply
📞Phone: Call your local Social Security office or 1-800-772-1213
📍In person: Schedule an appointment at your nearest SSA office

Note: If you apply before the end of 2025, you may also be eligible for back pay to January 2024.

Next Steps: Don’t Leave Money on the Table

If you:

• Were previously denied a spouse or survivor benefit
• Have a pension from non-covered work (like teaching, public service, government work)
• Were married 10+ years to someone eligible for Social Security…

Reapply today. You could now receive benefits you rightfully earned.

Final Thoughts

The Social Security Fairness Act didn’t just level the playing field it opened doors for many retirees who were unfairly left behind. If you’ve ever been told you’re not eligible, it’s time for a second opinion.

Want help reviewing your situation? I’ll guide you step-by-step.

Let’s make sure you’re getting every dollar you’ve earned.

🔗 Schedule a No-Fee Retirement Review

You’ve waited long enough—let’s make it right.