Kokua Line: When Will Certain Retirees See Their Social Security Pay Boost

Many retirees are eager to know when their Social Security payments will increase following recent changes in legislation

Kokua Line: When Will Certain Retirees See Their Social Security Pay Boost
Kokua Line: When Will Certain Retirees See Their Social Security Pay Boost

Honolulu: So, folks are wondering when those higher Social Security payments will kick in now that the penalty’s been lifted. It’s been a bit of a hassle trying to get through to Social Security for answers.

What you’re asking about is the Social Security Fairness Act, which just got rid of some rules that were cutting payments for certain retired public workers. This change is expected to help around 2.8 million Americans, including about 33,000 right here in Hawaii.

If you were affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision, you could see your benefits go up by an average of $360 a month. For spouses or survivors impacted by the Government Pension Offset, the increase could be between $700 and $1,190 monthly. Sounds good, right?

But here’s the catch: there’s no clear timeline on when these payments will actually start. The Social Security Administration is still figuring out how to roll this out.

They mentioned on their site that they’ll share more info as soon as they can. If you’ve already filed for Social Security and your benefits are being reduced, make sure they have your current address and direct deposit info. You can usually check this online without needing to call.

And hey, if you haven’t filed for Social Security yet but think you’re eligible, you can do that online too or set up an appointment.

As for back payments, the new rules will apply to benefits starting after December 2023. President Biden said that payments for 2024 would come in a lump sum, but he didn’t specify when.

Many people are feeling frustrated with the long wait times when trying to reach Social Security’s national number. One reader even asked about local office numbers since the national one is the only one listed in the phone book.

For those in Oahu, you can reach the Honolulu office at 855-572-4879 and the Kapolei office at 855-572-4866. Just keep in mind that calling local offices can be tricky since staff are busy with other tasks.

In December, the answer rate for the national number dropped to 44%, meaning over half of callers didn’t get through. It’s a tough situation, and they’re working on it.

Lastly, a big thank you to everyone who helped out when our pets got stressed out during New Year’s Eve. All our furry friends were found safe, and we really appreciate the community support.

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