If you spent your career working for a school district, a city government, or another public employer, there is a good chance you have a pension. And for a long time, having that pension meant the Social Security Administration could reduce or completely cut your Social Security benefits.
That rule has now been repealed, and it could mean real money coming back to you.
What Changed
Two longstanding rules (the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset) are used to reduce or eliminate Social Security payments for public employees who also qualify for a pension. Both of those rules are now gone, thanks to new legislation.
According to MassLive, some people may be owed back payments dating back to 2024. For some, that could add up to as much as $1,000 a month.
There is also an important push happening right now. A bipartisan group of senators has asked the SSA to pay the full amount owed to affected retirees, not just a capped six months’ worth, which was the previous limit on back pay.
How to Find Out if You Qualify
The best first step is to visit the SSA’s website and check your eligibility. If you think you may be owed money, you can call the SSA’s national hotline at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone directly.
You can also visit a local SSA office in person. Just check the SSA website before you go. Many offices across the country are currently experiencing disruptions, and some are only accepting virtual or phone appointments.
If you worked in the public sector and always assumed you were out of luck on Social Security, it is worth taking a few minutes to look into this. For some folks, the answer could make a real difference in the monthly budget.