SSA Updates 91% of Cases, Boosts Benefits For 3 Million People

The Social Security Administration has processed about 91% of cases tied to a new law increasing benefits and issuing retroactive payments to nearly 3 million people, according to CNBC. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January, eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which had reduced benefits for some public pension recipients. Although initial estimates warned of year-long delays, most adjustments are underway or completed. The SSA credits automation for speeding up payments and aims to update all affected records by early November. The act was signed into law on January 5th and applies to individuals who receive both Social Security benefits and pensions from jobs that did not require Social Security payroll taxes. This includes certain teachers, firefighters, police officers, federal employees under the Civil Service Retirement System, and those with foreign social security coverage. The new law has made some individuals newly eligible to apply for Social Security benefits, according to the agency. These individuals must apply, and the filing date will affect when benefits begin and how much they receive.