Social Security Pays Billions of Dollars in Retroactive Payments
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 5, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today shared its significant progress to quickly implement the Social Security Fairness Act. Through March 4, 2025, SSA has already paid 1,127,723 people more than $7.5 billion in retroactive payments. The retroactive payments are the result of the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The average retroactive payment so far is $6,710.
“President Trump made it very clear he wanted the Social Security Fairness Act to be implemented as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We met that challenge head on and are proudly delivering for the American people.”
The WEP and GPO provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes.
The agency continues to pay remaining retroactive payments and is ready to begin paying higher monthly benefit payments beginning in April for people’s March benefit.
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Saine
People who are thanking trump, BIDEN signed this into law on 1/05/2025. Biden, not trump. Please fact check.
Rudy
That is correct. Biden signed the fairness act on 1/5/25.
Dr A.
Thanks, President Biden. I received the first Blessing from the Fairness Act yesterday! Alice Phillips, Ed.D., Emeritus
Claudia
Is there a order in how you get your check
Robin L.
That’s right, give credit where it’s due!
Sherry G.
BFD. Biden has been dead for many years. You worship a dead man.
Maria V.
Sherry G: What is wrong with you?
And yes, you can thank Biden and Congress,
Sandra R.
Trump said the people had waited long enough, and the time frame Biden accepted of over a year was rejected by Trump and now beneficiaries will receive their money the end of March instead of Biden’s over a year. That is a real blessing to many.
Martha
yes!! you are correct, Trump doesn’t care about you
Sandra S.
Biden had a time frame for over a year, and Trump corrected that. This is very important to many who are struggling.
Roxane S.
If you didn’t pay Social Security taxes, why are you entitled to getting the $$? I worked jobs all of my life with no pension plan, I had to invest my own money. Now I’m disabled, due to cancer,and my disability check is pathetic. . Why in hell are the rest of supporting those that didn’t pay a frickin dime??
Justina
We all paid in at least 40 quarters, but our ss benefits were reduced or eliminated altogether.
Brian H.
Biden was not even aware of it until placed on his desk. The generators were bipartisan. Trump rushed it to the people. So just stop.
Justina
Forbes reported Dec 2020 that Biden wanted it repealed. Article by Elizabeth Bauer.
Evelyn S.
Thank you for the correction ☺️😁
Marlys K.
Biden signed anything the told him to.
A
TDS!
Justina
YMCA!
greg
That’s great there Saine.
But we all know that the Biden family doesn’t follow the law.
And Trump gave us the money, not Biden.
Thanks for playing though.
Maybe next time tiger.
Justina
There are at least 34 reasons you might want to drop the crime topic.
Linda
Biden was never president. The man you saw was an actor. Trump and the military were in control the entire time.
Justina
That’s something!
Jennifer S.
Because Biden did not fund it we were looking at least 1 year which a lot of us will be dead. Trump said get it out asap
Kat D.
The bill was originally introduced in Congress in 2001. It took Congress 23 years to finally pass the bill. The sign-off was a formality.
Natalie S.
Yes Thank you President Biden
Trump doesn’t give anything to deserving people
CeCe
YES!! My $$$ just hit my account and although I thank God first, I so appreciate and thank former President Biden for moving this forward (to me) as his parting gift. It could not have come at a more pivotal time in my life. #Tears of joy!!
Justina
Congrats! You earned it and glad it came at this time for you!
Tim F.
Please fact check. The republican house passed the bill.
Justina
The vote was bipartisan:
191 Ds, 136 Rs voted yes
Tom K.
Amen
John b.
Chil buddy
John m.
Chil buddy
Catherine T.
who cares, we are grateful that Biden did something while in office. Trump ordered SSA to expedite instead of SSA stating that it would take over a year to process.
Karen
Yes
Sumer M.
And Biden did absolutely NOTHING that he “said” or “signed”. Crooked old man. Karma will get them. Fact check yourself. You might be kinda but oh sooooo wrong. It’s ignorant dummy people like you and your big Biden that unfortunately make the world somewhat go round and round. Stupid facts checks.
Patricia S.
I say Biden had 4 years to sign this into law, so he waits until his days are over an then signs this bill, so what gives….guess someone thought Biden would leave office as the champion of the American people, not a champion of the illegals that made thousands off bidens administration, just saying
Justina
You realize congress had to pass it first? And they rarely can agree on anything? This bill was kind of a miracle.
Gail T.
For your information , BIDEN WASNT Biden. He was an ACTOR playing Biden with no rights AT ALL… THE MILITARY lead by Trump ( CIC) got the ball rolling for the American people. FACT CHECK THAT!
Justina
I don’t think I can.
Traci
He signed the Repeal that he sat on last year until his final moments. Trump is the one to issue the retroactive pay
Justina
Once congress passes a bill, the President has 10 days to sign or veto it.
Ali R.
Here! Here!
Doty
Amen!
Give credit where credit is due!
Johnny A.
100% disable Military retired. Do I get extra benefits from Social Security.
Cheryl
Does this affect my monthly social security monthly check amount off my monthly pension going forward?
Linda
I am wondering the same thing?
Terry
Yes. Check your Ssa.gov benefits statement and it will detail what your monthly payment going forward will be. This will continue in future years
.
Sumer M.
No except maybe more money included in that check each month … For good reason. You worked and deserve it period.
Mike B.
I did not pay Social Security for 30 years working for the IRS. Will I receive increased SSA pay for those 30 months that was not covered by SSA?
T.Y.
Hi, Mike. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. People who receive both a pension based on work not covered by Social Security and a Social Security benefit (retirement, spouse, disability, or survivor) may receive an increase. Please visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage to learn more. We hope this helps.
T.Y.
Hi, Cheryl. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. People who receive both a pension based on work not covered by Social Security and a Social Security benefit (retirement, spouse, disability, or survivor) may receive an increase. Please visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage to learn when you can expect retroactive benefits and an increase in your monthly benefit amount. We hope this helps.
Jordan B.
Yeah, pretty sure this isn’t across the board. There are people that haven’t paid into SSI getting bonuses not Seniors.
BONNIE D.
That’s what I was thinking. I do not understand what they are saying. Is this for people who were self employed and did not pay in. My last job didn’t hold out taxes so I had to pay at the end of the year. Who is this actually for?
T.Y.
Hi, Bonnie. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. The Social Security Fairness Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits of people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security because they did not pay Social Security taxes. This law increases Social Security benefits for some workers in many states, federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System, and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system. Learn more about the steps the Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking on our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Ed D.
This is a shame because most, if not all, recipients of SSI did not contribute a single red cent to SSS.
Jennifer S.
It is a repeal of a unfair law passed in 84. It took away most if not all SS and widows benefits . I you qualified for a government pension . I worked 36 years for USPS. As part time i paid SS when i become full time I paid into federal retirement. Plus i worked other jobs before USPS and after. The law took 85% of SS and 16% of my USPS . Leaving me with less in retirement as if i had never worked SS! And no widow benefits after my husband died. The repeal was written 25 times but congress would not put it on the floor. They knew it was wrong almost immediately! Myself and millions were denied out earned and paid benefits. It could happen to you if they decide to change a law 401k IRS. I lost 16% for 14 years. And full SS for 14 years. We eill not get anything we did not pay for. We are getting 1 year back. That is SS. Haven’t heard them mention the 16%.
Jennifer S.
Lot of non citizens getting SSI
Wade b.
No , sir that is not correct Iworked and paid into Social Security 25 yrs and than got on Civil Service.
No w.
I don’t understand it seems like people that that got big pensions and stuff and paid little social security and everything and they deserve more and more money isis doesn’t make any sense
Brian
No we paid on other jobs to social security
Sandra W.
How will I be informed that my retroactive pay under the SS Fairness Act has been implemented? Will I get a notification or will it just show up in my bank account?
S.S.
Hi, Sandra. Thanks for reading our blog. Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail. We hope this helps.
Anna B.
Thank you for this info. I received my payment March 4th and had no idea why. You clarified that I’ll also receive a letter from Social Security.
Shelli b.
So is it only to certain workers?
Sandra R.
Thank you so much
These continuous promises have been going on for years. This is so disheartening to kep hoping and nothing happening. Please if this is just another promise, please stop. We need help so bad and our hope is wearing thin. But thank you so much in case this is really going to happen.
Lou A.
I was in active Army service 1977-1984. I began Federal Service 1984-2012. I was under CSRS but when FERS was introduced I was pushed into the FERS retirement due to a break in service.
Does this Fairness Act affect my at all?
Thank you
C.B.
Hi, Lou Ann. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Only people who receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security may see benefit increases. If you had a non-covered pension from your work as a federal employee covered by the Civil Service Retirement System, you may receive back benefits and an increase on your own Social Security benefit. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Angela F.
felderangela01@gmail.com
Mary J.
I retired twenty years ago when I put in for SSI the guy slid a WEP book at me across the table they took more than half my SSI even though I had worked outside my USPostal job before I got a job with them I haven’t heard anything from them
JDOE
No. It does not. Why is it so burdensome or difficult for SSA to have an online option to ask questions SPECIFIC to one’s own benefit inside of “myssa” profile account? Or better yet, automate notifications to email so every single WEP affected recipient including those that took a lump sum disability retirement withdraw from PERS system now SSDI recipient can have a clue of status and allow us to monitor progress DAILY. You issued the first bar graph or chart with PROGRESS 3/4/25 but then…? Waiting another month before an issue is found is counterproductive and a waste of time. Now is when records should be looked at and reviewed for WEP or GPO repeal retro payments. I already know I have a “manual calculation” situation so I want it to be reviewed now, not next month after everyone else has their payments. You think I can get in touch with anyone to do this? Negatory. Impossible.
Joseph W.
What if I didn’t get a notice I am a retired Police officer collecting a pension.
T.Y.
Hi, Joseph. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. People who receive both a pension based on work not covered by Social Security and a Social Security benefit (retirement, spouse, disability, or survivor) may receive an increase. Please visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage to learn when you can expect retroactive benefits and an increase in your monthly benefit amount. We hope this helps.
Carol P.
And how do you find out what your new SS check be after the retroactive pay
Ali R.
How many fairness act cases have received their retroactive payments as of today…March 7th?
Sandra C.
Is this retroactive payment for the ones reviving this message.
Harold S.
Are payments the Gross amount or net of income tax withholding at the same rate as our monthly payment?
Lidia E.
I retired from VA and receive thst pension and I also paid into social security for 19 years prior to working for the federal government. Was the retroactive payment made to the March SS direct deposit account or will it be in April?
Lori M.
it just showed up in my acct today. I had no idea I was getting it. I only started SS in Nov 24 so was very surprised to get a check for 2654.00. I was a government employee who did not pay into Ss for years. However, I worked other jobs as well that did.
Lisa
If you read, it states that it will show up in your bank account and a letter following weeks later! This doesn’t mean everyone is entitled to this new law. Just read and all your answers are right in the statement.
Frank G.
Will I receive a retroactive check,I am 81 years and I paid into Social Security
Rmolleson
It will just show up in your bank account. We got ours 2 days ago.
Caterina N.
Just fyi….
The Social Security Fairness Act was introduced in the House by Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) and in the Senate by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on January 5, 2025.
Lorene V.
Who all is getting this money cause I know some people are getting already and that is awesome but be fair about it cause theirs other Senior that need it very bad
JEFF
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS. IT WAS HARD WORK BY A LOT OF SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN/WOMEN
Diane L.
No Biden didn’t sign this to law. It’s part of Nesara.
Sandra S.
He rejected the time frame Social Security gave for making the changes from over a year to the end of March. Had Trump not changed Biden’s time frame, beneficiaries would have had to wait over a year. Thank you, Mr Trump! We’ve been short changed long enough.
Edward N.
Thank you President Trump.
Jennifer S.
And some very special non politician!
Harriette
May daughter is now 65% blind because of an aneurysm’s behind each eye they were able to stent and coil. She was lucky to have had a symptom, most don’t and do not survive. But because she has about 35% of vision in one eye (blind in the other) she is needing to appeal her case to Social Security and no one at Social Security will touch it because of Trump and fear of losing their job. You must have less than 20% in your good eye. It hasn’t seemed to matter that the vision remaining is blurry, she has ghosting (sees things that aren’t there), MASSIVE residual headaches, NICE syndrome (her body is seeing the stents as a foreign object and rejecting them) causing stroke symptoms of slurred speech and arm pain making high dose steroids necessary also creating several issues. Now no one at Social Security wants to lose their job, she will never get approved. She can not work or drive. She was an elevator mechanic for years (one of the few women in the trade). She can’t get early disability retirement from her union unless approved by Social Security. She now has no money coming in and is in dire straights. Our family has done nothing but work hard and pay our taxes all of our lives. Now this. Just makes you want to !!!! Please pray for Jaime. I don’t know where to turn. My State Representative Mark Amodei’s office can’t seem to call me back which is the only place where I might be able to get some assistance.
Jennifer
Do people retired from Sacramento county get this benefit?
T.Y.
Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. The Social Security Fairness Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security because they did not pay Social Security taxes. This law increases Social Security benefits for some workers in many states. Learn more about the steps the Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking on our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Lucia C.
Call the Medicare and Elderly Ombudsmen in your State. There may be an area or regional person. Don’t know.
Louise
Harriette. I can relate. My daughter has an inoperable brain tumor, migraines 24/7, seizures and a handful of other medical issues. She can’t work, has lost her house and car. She lives with me now, as her health is going down hill. We’ve been trying for over 3 years to get disability. Had our last appeal in January and still haven’t heard anything. Very frustrating. I’m sorry for you are going through.
Manny
Please ask help directly to the office of president Trump…..
Sarita
Hire an attorney. This happened to my brother. He applied for disability and was denied so he hired an attorney who won the appeal and payments were retroactive. It was worth the fee.
Shelli B.
My husband lost one eye when he was 10 years old, so the other I had to work harder the drs said making him legally blind, state took his drivers license, and some back issues, took him 3 years to get his disability, and this was 10 years ago, I agree the red tape needs to go, BUT , that isn’t trumps fault, he wasn’t even in politics then
IVE NEVER BEEN SO PROUD OF A PRESIDENT THAN I AM OF MR TRUMP, he does care about his country and fellow citizens, the disability department needs an overhaul for sure, it’s a hot mess, but give him some time, he just might fool you,
#LOVE TRUMP AND PRAYING FOR HIM EVERY DAY
Reginald
Harriette, I hear you and send your daughter and family blessings in these trying times. You may want to consider contacting your local news station and/or newspaper to see if someone will hear your story about your local representatives unresponsiveness. You’d be surprised to find that they actually welcome stories like yours that are being reported in their broadcasting area. Another vital resource on getting your representatives off their phone to their wealthy donors, is the ever vigilant Ralph Nader.
His website – nader.org – is a treasure trove of quality information on how to put pressure on your representatives and get them to work for you , your family and your community instead of the millionaire and billionaire donors who are on speed dial and first name basis.
Ralph’s website also stays current on issues that citizens should be aware of and be actively involved in. From corporate crime to consumer rights and financial fraud that’s ruining lives for our senior citizens. Shame on those who prey on the most vulnerable citizens who worked hard all their lives and are trying to enjoy retirement only to see their savings stolen by greedy monsters. It’s issues like this that our representatives should be dealing with and preventing, not what their top donors are paying them to do ( and that donation by the way is a tax write off)
I wish you and your daughter the best.
George
Thank you President Trump glad someone taking care of us Seniors and Veterans here enough of the bedevil Corruption out there.
Roger G.
The Social Security Fairness Act was introduced in the House by Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) and in the Senate by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on January 5, 2025
Linda G.
This was signed into law by President Biden, not President Trump. Many people worked very hard for many years to see that these benefits were restored. They are the ones who should be thanked!
Perrin
Trump has nothing to do with this. This was signed and approved by President Biden in January before he left office
Suzanna S.
President BIDEN NOT TRUMP put this into motion. Give credit to whom the credit should go!
Mary J.
Trump had nothing to do with this it was put into effect by Biden on January 05 2026
Theresa F.
Joe Biden signed this into law in January. 2025 before Trump was sworn in as president.
MrMagic
TRUMP DID NOT cause and/or sign the Social security fairness act, it former President JOE BIDEN. Pls give your praise based on fact and truth to the rightful implementer of the corrective action. As far as corruption goes, sir, are witnessing the GRIFT that TRUMP and his cohorts are engaged in. Sir! Open your eyes, as am I a senior, a 6yr military and Vietnam veteran, as while as a 24yr Dept. of Justice Criminal Investigator/ Special Agent (SSA).
What TRUMP and his people are doing is the “THE DECONSTRUCTION OF THE ADMINSTRATIVE STATE.” Is this what you reallt want?
DemocracyDeb
You are delusional. Read the ACTUAL FAIRNESS ACT CONTENTS. Signed into Law by President Biden 1/5/2025. Dumb-nald Trump has done nothing to help one American except billionares and his convicted felon self.
Cherie. T.
This was enacted before Trump took office.
RTS
Are you serious, a draft dodger and convicted felon and his comic book character Musk have fired many VA workers who sacrificed themselves for our nation. Now, many disabled vets will not receive their VA benefits including transport services to VA facilities. Drump had nothing to do with the passage of WEP/GPO….it was Biden and terrific members of Congress (bipartisan) who passed the law,
Regina
George, it was not Trump that signed the bill which allowed you to receive that retroactive payment from Social Security.
It was the previous administration that is responsible. Have a blessed day.
Brenda
This was not done by trump. Biden signed this into law on Jan 5 2025. Trump usually takes credit for things he had nothing to do with. Get the facts straight!!
Sheila
The Social Security Fairness Act was introduced in the House by Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) and in the Senate by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on January 5, 2025.
Mary
Joe Biden signed the repeal of the act.
Rox
This implemented by the Biden administration
Donna M.
TRUMP DIDN’T DO THIS. DON’T BE FOOLED. TRUMP IS TAKING CREDIT FOR WHAT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW (January 5, 2025) BEFORE TRUMP BECAME presidident.
Kim
Not President Trump it was signed by President Biden on January 5th
MK
It wasn’t Trump. It was Biden.
Robert
Trump had nothing to do with it. It was Biden. Trump would have kept it.
Jeff
I received my retroactive back pay today…thank you kindly. How many months is it for. I retired many years ago.
Linda
Will my monthly ss payment go up every month?
T.Y.
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question, Linda. You may be eligible for an increase in your monthly Social Security benefits if you received a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security because you did not pay Social Security tax. Learn more about the steps the Social Security Administration (SSA) is taking on our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this information helps.
Laszlo
Retro is back to January, 2024 …as stated in the information article and also well publicized by now.
Lisa
May I ask how much was your payment and were you in service?
JDoe
Jeff, did your myssa.gov online account show a payment made today? Or did it just deposit without any online account (ssa) changes? I am waiting for any notice,email or my payment but nothing. And hours on hold when calling SSA. Thank you.
Shelli B.
Were you a teacher and was it only for people who had a pension?
Peter
I’m trying to figure this out also. I received my check on March 3rd and I’m very happy about this, however I don’t know how many months it was for. I’m guessing 1/01/2024 – 12/31/2024. But it could be thru February of 2025. I’m just not sure about it because I still haven’t received a letter explaining.
Jim
Yes I would like to know as well thank you
Jessyl
Did it just show up?