Social Security Payments Rise for 2.5 Million Recipients, Adding Up to $1,000 a Month
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jun 22
Social Security Payments Rise for 2.5 Million Recipients, Adding Up to $1,000 a Month
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jun 22
Summary
2.5 million Social Security recipients are getting larger checks this year after the Social Security Fairness Act ended two benefit limits, with some monthly gains topping $1,000.
Widows and divorced spouses of many state and local public workers — including teachers, police and firefighters — are among the main beneficiaries because their spousal payments had been reduced under the old rules.
28% of state and local public employees were affected by those restrictions, the Social Security Administration said, though the size of each increase still varies by pension amount and benefit type.
Labor groups say the change is already lifting payments materially, with the National Education Association citing an average $360 monthly boost and firefighters saying some members could gain as much as $587.