New Social Security Law Is Putting More Money in Retirees’ Pockets—Are You on the List?

If you’ve checked your bank account lately and thought, “Wait, where did that extra Social Security money come from?”—you’re not alone. And no, it’s not a glitch. Some retirees are actually getting more money in their checks, and there’s a pretty good reason behind it.

Let’s talk about who’s getting paid more, why it’s happening, and what it means for you.

A Long-Awaited Change for Public Sector Workers

For years, a lot of folks who worked in public service—think teachers, firefighters, police officers, or government employees—got the short end of the stick when it came to Social Security. They paid into pension systems that didn’t include Social Security, and because of two rules (called WEP and GPO), their Social Security benefits were cut down, sometimes by a lot.

It felt unfair—and frankly, it kind of was. These were people who dedicated their lives to serving the community, only to have their retirement checks reduced.

Fast forward to now: the Social Security Fairness Act passed, and it changed everything. Those cuts? Gone. People who were impacted by those rules are finally starting to see the benefits they earned—in full.

So, Who’s Seeing More Money?

If you worked in a job that didn’t pay into Social Security (but you still qualify for it through other work), and you’ve had your benefits reduced in the past, there’s a good chance you’re now getting more money each month.

Even better? Many people are getting lump-sum payments—basically, back pay to make up for the months they were shortchanged. Some of those retroactive payments are averaging around $6,700, though it really depends on your work history and how long the cuts affected you.

So, if you’ve suddenly got a few thousand more dollars in your account, that might be why.

What About the Regular COLA Increase?

Even if you’re not part of that specific group, every Social Security recipient is getting a little bump this year thanks to the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

It’s a 2.5% increase—so not massive, but it helps. The average retired worker is now getting about $2,000 per month, which helps stretch those dollars just a bit further.

Got an Early Payment? Here’s Why

And if you noticed an early SSI payment hit your account before June even started, don’t worry—it’s not a mistake, and you’re not getting paid twice.

Because June 1 falls on a weekend, the payment got pushed up to May 30. It’s still your regular payment, just arriving a little earlier than usual.

Wondering If You Qualify for the Extra Money?

If you think you were affected by those old WEP or GPO rules, and you haven’t seen an increase yet, here’s what you can do:

• Check your mail. The Social Security Administration is sending letters to people who qualify.

• Log in to your my Social Security account to look at your benefit history and see any updates.

• Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 if you have questions or want to talk to a real person.

You might already have money waiting—or more coming your way soon.

This isn’t just a policy change—it’s a big step forward for fairness. A lot of hardworking people are finally getting the retirement benefits they earned, and that’s something to celebrate.

Whether you’re seeing more money already or still waiting to hear, now’s a good time to check in on your account, ask questions, and make sure you’re getting what you’re owed. After all, you earned it.