A long-awaited change to Social Security was meant to bring relief to millions of Americans.

But for nearly a million retirees, that promise has yet to show up in their bank accounts.

If you’re one of the many still waiting, you’re not alone—and the delays have left some recipients frustrated and searching for answers.

The repeal that started it all​

The repeal of two decades-old Social Security provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)—was designed to restore benefits to public workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers.

Roughly 3.2 million Americans were affected by these rules, which reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits for those who also received a government pension.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 83% of those impacted were women.

With the provisions now repealed, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began issuing retroactive payments and monthly increases earlier this year.

How much are the payments?​

The SSA is issuing retroactive payments dating back to January 2024, with an average back payment of $6,710, and an average monthly increase of around $1,100.

Individual amounts may vary based on each case.

So far, about 2.3 million Americans have received the increase. That leaves nearly 1 million who are still waiting in May.



The delay mostly comes down to how cases are processed. Simple cases are being handled quickly through automated calculations.

More complex cases—those requiring additional review—must be processed by SSA employees, which is slowing things down.

The SSA has confirmed that monthly increases are running about one month behind schedule.

All affected recipients are expected to receive their updated payments by November.

How to supplement your income while waiting for an increase​

If you're still waiting on a Social Security benefit increase or facing uncertainty about future payments, financial experts suggest exploring other retirement income strategies to help bridge the gap:

• Start early: According to Shannon Benton, executive director of The Senior Citizens League, beginning your savings and investment efforts as early as possible, even with small contributions, can significantly improve your financial security over time.
• Explore available benefits: Don’t overlook supplemental programs designed to help retirees.
• Maximize your 401(k): If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, contribute as much as you can—especially if there's a matching contribution. Many employers match between 2% and 4% of your salary, making it a key way to grow your retirement savings.
• Open an IRA: IRAs offer additional, tax-advantaged ways to save. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, and earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawal.

Read more:

• New Social Security feature could save you time—but there’s a catch
• Are you working and claiming? Maximize your Social Security benefits with this essential tip!

Are you still waiting on your ‘Fairness’ payment? Have you tried calling the SSA—or checked your payment history online? Share your experience in the comments below. Your insight could help others facing the same wait.