Latest news with #GovernmentPensionOffset
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: Why is Medicare double-billing some premiums?
Question : Regarding the Social Security Fairness Act, I am getting my money but now there's a problem with my Medicare premiums. Is anyone else having these problems ? Are they related ? Answer : Yes, problems with Medicare premiums, including double-billing, may be related to how payments are processed now that you are no longer penalized by the Windfall Elimination Provision or Government Pension Offset, which the Social Security Fairness Act repealed. After the repeal, nearly 3 million people became eligible for Social Security benefits, or for higher monthly payments if they were previously eligible. Social Security and Medicare are separate programs that work together. For many retirees, the Social Security Administration automatically deducts Medicare premiums from monthly Social Security benefits. Prior to receiving Social Security, retirees affected by the SSFA would have paid their Medicare premiums a different way, and issues have emerged during the transition. The SSA describes problems and solutions on its website, but does not say how many people are affected. Here are details from ; you may need to take action to correct your problem. Q : 'What should I do if my Medicare premiums are being deducted from my Social Security benefit and my Office of Personnel Management annuity ?' A : 'The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serv ices is working on this issue. Anyone who had too many Medicare premiums withheld will receive a refund. You do not need to call, but if you have questions on this specific issue, contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227 ).' Q : 'What happens if my Medicare premium is deducted from my Civil Serv ice Retirement System annuity ?' A : 'If a person has had their premiums deducted from their CSRS annuity, and then applies for Social Security benefits, SSA will tell the person that their premiums will now be deducted from their monthly Social Security benefits. SSA's notice will include this information. In most cases, the premium refund will be included in the back payment from SSA. If not, the refund will be issued at the end of the calendar quarter. If you do not receive a premium refund within six weeks of the close of the calendar quarter, please contact SSA. Please contact SSA if you have any questions about your premiums.' Q : 'What if a person pays their Medicare premium directly to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serv ices due to the Windfall Elimination Provision or Government Pension Offset reduction ?' A : 'SSA recommends that, until they get a notice from SSA, the person should continue to follow the instructions on the Medicare premium bill and pay the bill to ensure their Medicare coverage does not stop. SSA will send a notice telling people when their Social Security record is updated. Once the person begins receiving a Social Security benefit, the Medicare premium will be deducted from their monthly payment. If the benefit is not enough to cover the Medicare premium, the person will be billed for the remainder. SSA's notice will include this information. 'If the person prepaid their premiums to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and SSA tells them that their premiums will now be deducted from their monthly Social Security benefits, they will receive any applicable refund. SSA's notice will include this information. 'You may need to take action. For people who pay their Medicare premium using Automated Clearing House, also known as Medicare Easy Pay or Online Bill Payment : Once SSA notifies the person that they will receive a benefit increase, the Medicare premium will automatically be deducted from their monthly Social Security payment. 'For people using Medicare Easy Pay : They should arrange to stop the ACH payments by completing the Authorization Agreement for Preauthorized Payments form (SF-5510 ) and sending to the address on the form or online at. Both options are located at. 'For people using Online Bill Payment : If a person is paying their Medicare premiums through their bank's online bill payment service, they should contact their bank to stop their online bill payments.' 'Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227 ) for assistance.' Q : What is going in where the movie theater used to be at Koko Marina ? There is construction work going on. A : Negotiations are underway with multiple potential tenants for that space and Koko Marina Center's management office hopes to announce details within the next three months, the leasing agent said Thursday. For now, there's nothing official to publicly report. Ongoing interior demolition work is taking the space to 'shell condition ' for new tenants once they are finalized, she said. The movie theater, formerly an anchor tenant of the Hawaii Kai shopping center, closed July 30, 2023.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Social Security says 2.5 million retroactive payments processed so far
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has processed 2.5 million retroactive payments for teachers, firefighters, police officers and others with public pensions who were previously locked out of retirement benefits, the agency said last week. Signed into law by President Biden in January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act requires the agency to adjust benefits for 3.2 million people, including future and past benefits. So far, Social Security has completed 90% of its caseload, according to its May 27 update. Payments are going to public pension holders previously barred from collecting full benefits under the federal retirement program due to two federal policies: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act ended these provisions, opening the door for millions to receive retroactive payments dating back to January 2024. December 2023 was the last month the WEP and GPO applied, according to the SSA. The agency did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment. If you're eligible for these payments, read on for the latest from the SSA. When will I get my retroactive payment? The agency started issuing payments on Feb. 25. According to the SSA, beneficiaries should have received a one-time retroactive payment deposited into the bank account the agency has on file for them by the end of March 2025. In terms of the new monthly benefits, most eligible parties should have seen payment increases starting in April. There's a one-month lag for Social Security payments, so the April payments reflected March's benefit. What if I haven't gotten my payment yet? The SSA previously said that most Americans would have to wait up to a year or longer to receive their benefits. While the agency has been able to expedite payments using automation, more complicated cases need to be processed manually and will take longer as a result, according to its website. The SSA said it expects all beneficiary records to be updated by November 2025. Those eligible who have still not received their payment can check account or call 1-800-772-1213 to make sure the SSA has the right address and direct deposit information for them on file. "Ensuring that SSA has the correct information allows you to get any retroactive benefits and your new benefit amount quicker," the agency says in its update. There are still 900,000 Social Security Fairness Act cases which must be completed by hand, USA Today recently reported. SSA employees told the news outlet that they have been directed to prioritize these cases over their other work. How much will benefits increase? The amount of the added payments hinges on a few factors, such as the type of Social Security benefit and pension a person receives. Some people will see "very little" adjustments, while others could see over $1,000 each month, according to the SSA website. How will I know if my monthly benefit was adjusted? Any beneficiaries who receive a retroactive payment, or a monthly benefit adjustment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the change. To learn more about your eligibility and how the Social Security payments work, visit the Social Security Fairness Act website. What if I never applied for retirement? If you never applied for retirement — or a spouse's benefits — due to the federal laws in place before the Social Security Fairness Act was passed, you may need to file an application. To do so, visit As of the week ending May 23, the agency has received over 200,000 new applications for benefits since the law passed, and has processed 87% of them, according to the SSA website. Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Jeffries calls it "a complete and total disgrace"
CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Social Security says 2.5 million retroactive payments have been processed. Here's what to know.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has processed 2.5 million retroactive payments for teachers, firefighters, police officers and others with public pensions who were previously locked out of retirement benefits, the agency said last week. Signed into law by President Biden in January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act requires the agency to adjust benefits for 3.2 million people, including future and past benefits. So far, Social Security has completed 90% of its caseload, according to its May 27 update. Payments are going to public pension holders previously barred from collecting full benefits under the federal retirement program due to two federal policies: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act ended these provisions, opening the door for millions to receive retroactive payments dating back to January 2024. December 2023 was the last month the WEP and GPO applied, according to the SSA. The agency did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment. If you're eligible for these payments, read on for the latest from the SSA. When will I get my retroactive payment? The agency started issuing payments on Feb. 25. According to the SSA, beneficiaries should have received a one-time retroactive payment deposited into the bank account the agency has on file for them by the end of March 2025. In terms of the new monthly benefits, most eligible parties should have seen payment increases starting in April. There's a one-month lag for Social Security payments, so the April payments reflected March's benefit. What if I haven't gotten my payment yet? The SSA previously said that most Americans would have to wait up to a year or longer to receive their benefits. While the agency has been able to expedite payments using automation, more complicated cases need to be processed manually and will take longer as a result, according to its website. The SSA said it expects all beneficiary records to be updated by November 2025. Those eligible who have still not received their payment can check account or call 1-800-772-1213 to make sure the SSA has the right address and direct deposit information for them on file. "Ensuring that SSA has the correct information allows you to get any retroactive benefits and your new benefit amount quicker," the agency says in its update. There are still 900,000 Social Security Fairness Act cases which must be completed by hand, USA Today recently reported. SSA employees told the news outlet that they have been directed to prioritize these cases over their other work. How much will benefits increase? The amount of the added payments hinges on a few factors, such as the type of Social Security benefit and pension a person receives. Some people will see "very little" adjustments, while others could see over $1,000 each month, according to the SSA website. How will I know if my monthly benefit was adjusted? Any beneficiaries who receive a retroactive payment, or a monthly benefit adjustment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the change. To learn more about your eligibility and how the Social Security payments work, visit the Social Security Fairness Act website. What if I never applied for retirement? If you never applied for retirement — or a spouse's benefits — due to the federal laws in place before the Social Security Fairness Act was passed, you may need to file an application. To do so, visit As of the week ending May 23, the agency has received over 200,000 new applications for benefits since the law passed, and has processed 87% of them, according to the SSA website.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Social Security Fairness Act big update given on expanded benefits. Here's how it will impact millions of Americans
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an update for those who have not yet received expanded benefits following the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act earlier this year, reports NewsWeek. The SSA has now processed about 91% of cases related to a new law that is prompting higher benefits and lump-sum retroactive payments for nearly 3 million people, according to a new update from the agency. The Social Security Fairness Act removed two provisions- the Windfall Elimination Provision , or WEP, and the Government Pension Offset , or GPO- that previously reduced benefits for individuals who also receive income from public pensions that did not require the payment of Social Security payroll taxes, according to CNBC. Lawmakers have passed the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, repealing two provisions that had reduced retirement benefits for certain groups, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, some federal employees, and their spouses. As a result, approximately 2.8 million individuals are now eligible to receive their full Social Security benefits . Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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According to the Social Security Administration, 91% of those affected are already receiving full payments. However, a number of more "complex cases" are still being processed. As of April, the SSA reported issuing over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to eligible recipients. Live Events Social Security Fairness Act benefits increase The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) has reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pensions from public-sector jobs—such as state and federal positions—that did not require Social Security payroll tax contributions. This reduction applies even if the individual also worked in jobs covered by Social Security and qualified for benefits. Similarly, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces spousal or survivor benefits for retired federal, state, and local government employees who did not pay into Social Security through payroll taxes. "For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount," the SSA said in an update on its website. "We are expediting these cases now." ALSO READ: Heat alert in US: Summer 2025 forecast for America is out and is worrisome. Check which cities will bear the maximum brunt Updated benefit amounts, including retroactive payments dating back to December 2023, began rolling out in April. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) has completed over 90% of these adjustments, some complex cases are still being processed. If your payment is still pending, you will receive a notice from the SSA. Status of payment delays According to USA Today, newly appointed SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano has instructed staff to resolve all remaining Social Security Fairness Act claims by July 1. These cases have been given top priority over other customer service requests. To meet the deadline, some SSA employees have been offered overtime to work weekends. ALSO READ: Elon Musk attacks Trump's 'big, beautiful bill': Tesla CEO's sudden outburst explained "SSA has made significant strides in implementing the Social Security Fairness Act, having paid over $14.8 billion in retroactive payments to more than 2.2 million individuals affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Under President [Donald] Trump's leadership, the agency's original estimate of taking a year or more to issue payments now will apply to only complex cases that cannot be processed by automation," the agency said. The SSA said on its website that retroactive payments and newly adjusted benefit amounts are being released "as we process each case" with the expectation that "all beneficiary records will be updated by early November 2025."
CNBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
91% of Social Security Fairness Act benefit increases, lump sum payments have been processed, agency says
The Social Security Administration has now processed about 91% of cases related to a new law that is prompting higher benefits and lump-sum retroactive payments for nearly 3 million people, according to a new update from the agency. The Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law in January, eliminated two provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP, and the Government Pension Offset, or GPO — that previously reduced benefits for individuals who also receive income from public pensions that did not require the payment of Social Security payroll taxes. At the start of the year, the Social Security Administration said affected beneficiaries may have to wait more than one year to see their payments adjusted. More from Personal Finance:What the House GOP budget bill means for your moneyTrump tariffs create the 'perfect storm' for scamsSocial Security COLA for 2026 projected to be lowest in years The agency credits automation for helping it to expedite those payments. The Social Security Administration currently plans to update all beneficiary records affected by the law by early November. However, the agency is "working to exceed its estimate" under new commissioner Frank Bisignano, a Social Security Administration official said via email. "Commissioner Bisignano committed to senators during his confirmation process that this would be finished 'while the weather is warm' and he will keep his promise," the Social Security Administration official said. Here's the latest on the Fairness Act payments. The Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law on Jan. 5, affects certain individuals who are eligible for Social Security benefits, but who also receive pensions from work that did not require the payment of Social Security payroll taxes. Examples of those affected include teachers, firefighters and police officers; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people who are covered by a foreign social security system, according to the Social Security Administration. Notably, not everyone in those groups will receive a benefit increase, according to the agency. About 72% of state and local public employees pay Social Security taxes, and therefore were not affected by the new law, according to the agency. The provisions that had previously been in place reduced Social Security benefits for more than 2.8 million people, according to SSA. To date, the agency has processed about 2.5 million cases, the agency said in its latest update. Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries also stand to receive adjusted annuity payments because of the law. New monthly annuity amounts for most individuals will begin in July, and one-time retroactive payments are due to arrive by the end of July, according to a Railroad Retirement Board spokeswoman. Individuals affected may see monthly Social Security check increases ranging from "very little" to more than $1,000 per month, according to SSA. The changes will result in higher monthly payments ranging from $360 to $1,190, depending on individual circumstances, the Congressional Budget Office previously estimated. Affected beneficiaries will also see lump-sum payments dating back as far back as January 2024. Notably, Social Security benefit payments for January 2024 were received by beneficiaries in February 2024, according to the Social Security Administration. For each beneficiary, the monthly benefit increases and any back payments are processed together, the Social Security official said. The Social Security Administration is now prioritizing the remaining complex cases that could not be automated, according to the Social Security official. Those cases require additional time to manually update records to process both the retroactive and new benefits. The roughly 300,000 individuals who are still waiting may have unique circumstances, notes David A. Weaver, a former Social Security Administration executive who currently teaches statistics at the University of South Carolina. For example, some eligible beneficiaries who have recently died may qualify for the lump-sum retroactive payments, Weaver said. In those circumstances, the Social Security Administration would likely try to issue that money to survivors. Others may be affected by overpayments, whereby the Social Security Administration issued benefit payments that were too high. In those cases, the agency will generally seek reimbursement for the excess sums that were issued. In addition to the cases that require manual processing, there are people who are now newly eligible to apply for Social Security benefits as a result of the law, Weaver said. Those individuals may need to file an application, according to the Social Security Administration. The date of the application may determine benefit start date and benefit amount. As the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act moves to completion, it may be wise for Congress to ask the Government Accountability Office to audit that process, Weaver said. That may allow for an evaluation of the final administrative costs for processing the benefit changes due to the law, including both the manual cases and additional new claims, as well as phone calls from the public about the changes, he said. That investigation could also evaluate whether other agency work was sidelined as the benefit changes were processed, he said.
