Thousands of Social Security recipients in Connecticut will soon see larger monthly checks and retroactive payments, thanks to a major change in federal law that repeals two long-criticized provisions impacting public service workers.
The Social Security Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill passed by Congress in the final hours of its last session and signed into law by former President Joe Biden in January, eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The repeal is expected to increase benefits for over 3 million Americans, including more than 26,000 people in Connecticut.
The WEP and GPO provisions had reduced or, in some cases, eliminated Social Security benefits for teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other government employees who also received pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), impacted retirees in Connecticut can expect lump-sum retroactive payments averaging $7,500, with over $196 million distributed statewide. Those payments, covering benefits from January 2024 onward, were initially expected later this year but began arriving as early as late February.
Retirees also noticed an increase in their monthly Social Security checks starting in April, reflecting March benefits, which are paid one month behind. The size of the increases will vary by individual, with some receiving modest boosts while others could see as much as $1,000 more per month, according to SSA estimates.
SSA Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek said the agency fast-tracked the rollout to ensure beneficiaries receive what they’re owed as quickly as possible.
“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” Dudek said in a February statement.
Repeal Sparks Debate Over Social Security’s Future
While the repeal has been widely celebrated by labor unions and public service groups, some lawmakers have raised concerns about the law’s long-term financial impact. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the repeal will cost nearly $196 billion over the next decade, potentially accelerating the depletion of the Social Security Trust Fund.
Without additional reforms, the Trust Fund is projected to fully cover benefits through 2033. After that, beneficiaries could face across-the-board cuts of roughly 20%, unless Congress enacts broader fixes.
Connecticut Congressman John Larson (D-1st District) opposed the final bill, arguing it lacked necessary funding mechanisms. His competing proposal would have offset the costs by raising the income cap on taxable earnings for Social Security.
Changes at SSA and New Verification Requirements
Meanwhile, other SSA policy shifts could complicate the process for some recipients. The agency plans to cut 12% of its workforce, consolidate its 10 regional offices down to four, and implement new identity verification rules.
Beginning March 31, beneficiaries will need to verify their identities either in person or online, ending the option to do so over the phone. While officials say this change aims to reduce fraud, critics argue it may disproportionately affect seniors and disabled Americans who rely on phone services to access benefits.
Connecticut Among Most Affected States
WEP and GPO had an outsized impact in Connecticut, one of 15 states where teachers were particularly affected. Statewide, around 708,000 residents — roughly 20% of the population — receive Social Security benefits, with retirees making up the majority.
Labor groups including the Connecticut Education Association, the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, and the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut were key players in pushing for the repeal, calling it long overdue for workers who dedicated their careers to public service.
