Senator Murkowski Applauds Implementation of Social Security Fairness Act
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) applauded an announcement from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that the agency will immediately begin to pay retroactive Social Security benefits to those impacted by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Retroactive payments will be calculated back to January 1, 2024. Most of those impacted will receive their retroactive payments by the end of March and higher benefit payments going forward will be reflected beginning in April.
Some beneficiaries whose cases are more complex may need to wait for the SSA to recalculate their benefits by hand; those impacted by GPO or WEP who have not received retroactive payments or higher benefit payments should contact the SSA at the end of April with questions.
These adjustments were guaranteed to public servants who have been impacted by WEP and GPO under the Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law January 5, 2025. Senator Murkowski has been a long-time proponent of the measure, co-sponsoring the legislation every Congress since 2003.
On February 5, 2025, Senator Murkowski joined her colleagues in sending a letter to the Acting Commissioner of the SSA, Michelle King, calling for the quick implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act.
“I applaud the Social Security Administration for moving quickly to ensure Alaska’s public servants are able to access the benefits they are entitled to,” said Senator Murkowski. “I have been working on the Social Security Fairness Act for 22 years – and Alaskans have been waiting even longer for their benefits. I’m grateful to the administration for promptly implementing this law so that Alaskans will not have to wait any longer for the benefits they’ve earned.”
Background:
Senator Murkowski will continue to keep Alaskans updated on this issue via her website at https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/social-security-fairness-act-information.
The WEP, enacted in 1983, reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government for employment not covered by Social Security. The GPO, enacted in 1977, reduces Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers whose spouses receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government. Together, these provisions reduce Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million Americans – including those who worked teachers, state employees, and public safety officers. Alaska is one of the most disproportionately and negatively affected states per capita by the WEP and GPO.
The Social Security Fairness Act was endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations Alaska (AFL-CIO Alaska), Alaska Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA), Alaska Professional Fighters Association (APFA), National Education Association – Alaska (NEA-A), National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Alaska (NARFE Alaska), Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Strengthen Medicare (NCPSSM), Social Security Works, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), International Union of Police Association (IUPA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Education Association (NEA), and the Senior Citizens League.
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