Social Security recipients could get additional retroactive payments after senators urge push for policy change

The Social Security Equity Act last year eliminated the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). This means many older pensioners receive higher Social Security payments, but some are unable to receive the full retroactive lump sum payment.

If the SSA agrees to the request, affected beneficiaries could receive retroactive payments covering up to 12 months of missed benefits under the law, expanding the scope of the earlier six-month payments originally issued by officials.

Read more: How much will Social Security COLA increase in 2027? Appearance about updates

Under the SSA’s current rules, the retroactive payment period for pensioners is six months, rather than one year for these beneficiaries.

This affects 2.8 million Americans, most of whom are the surviving spouses of teachers, firefighters or police officers, as well as some federal employees who receive Social Security points.

Read more: Is social security reform coming? Why the Trump team’s comments worry retirees

However, the date the law was passed is unclear. Congress “did not distinguish between new and current beneficiaries when setting the effective date of the Act.” Nor should SSA adhere to the “plain text” of regulations.

In a letter to the SSA earlier this month, Cassidy, Cornyn and Fetterman said: “We do not blame the SSA for not having a crystal ball.”

Because of the SSA’s ongoing financial problems, which many experts predict could cause the agency to run out of funds for full payments as early as 2033, there may be some opposition to allocating full-year, one-time payments.