Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today cheered news that the Social Security Administration is beginning to pay retroactive benefits for some retirees who had worked in public service professions. These changes are made possible thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, which Whitehouse cosponsored and President Biden signed into law in January.
“This is great news for Rhode Island’s retired teachers, police officers, and firefighters who have waited a long time for this relief,” said Whitehouse, a founding member of the Expand Social Security Caucus. “I will continue monitoring the Social Security Administration’s swift implementation of the new law, which I worked hard for years to help pass. Protecting Social Security benefits Rhode Islanders have earned over a lifetime of hard work is one of my highest priorities.”
The Social Security Fairness Act eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision, which reduced Social Security benefits for retired or disabled workers if they also receive pensions from public sector jobs that are not covered by Social Security.
The bill also eliminated the Government Pension Offset, which reduced Social Security spousal benefits for retired public servants who receive pensions from employment that was not covered by Social Security.
More than 8,600 Rhode Islanders who receive government pensions but also contributed to Social Security through private-sector employment stand to benefit from the new law.
According to the Social Security Administration, most beneficiaries will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security. The payment total will vary from person to person, and depends on factors like the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the individual’s pension. Following the payment, beneficiaries will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment.
Rhode Islanders are encouraged to wait until April before inquiring on the status of their retroactive payment or their monthly benefit amount.
