New law raises Social Security income for some

Until recently, if you received a pension from a job that did not pay into Social Security and you’ve also worked in a job that did, your Social Security benefits at retirement were reduced based on your pension income.

As of Jan. 5, 2025, that’s no longer the case, thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act. Now, you’ll receive both your pension and your fully earned Social Security benefits because the Act repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

This new law also repealed the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision which had reduced spousal or survivor Social Security benefits for people employed in government jobs. These benefits will be increased in 2025.