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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: General Information, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Linda H.
I received an email stating that I may be receiving a payment. Is it truthful? I haven’t received a letter but the email was from SSA. Nothing shows up on my social security page
T.Y.
Hi, Linda. 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.
Cj
I received my wep retroactive pay a week ago. My husband was affected by gpo and applied for spousal benefits but has heard nothing. Wouldn’t that have been done at the same time?
T.Y.
Thank you for reading our blog, CJ. Unfortunately, but for your huband’s safety, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Through our blog page, we respond to questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. Your husband can contact his local Social Security office with questions about his specific case. To find the contact information of your local office, visit our Office Locator page. We hope this helps.
Jim C.
I worked a total of 46+ years. 36 was career federal work under OPM CSRS retirement program. The remanning work was in private sector that paid into SS with over 40 qualifying quarters. Thus I had a reduction of my SS payment under a windfall provision. Double dipper they called me. My SS benefit amount was then ridiculously low. Now that payment I earned is being restored under WEP. Thank you.
Kathy S.
Please provide public information on how you are processing the more complex cases for the Social Security Fairness Act. How soon will those who receive benefits affected by both WEP and GPO be calculated and reimbursed? Why is the West Coast not being processed? Thank you.
Trudy B.
Does this news for Canadian seniors too!
Rose
Thank you President Trump for replacing the commissioner with one who put this in action immediately after appointed.
I received a lump sum reflective of WEP but should receive more from GPO. Is this a multiparty process, or do I need to contact SSA.
Kathy
Why is medicare taken out again on retro payment. I already paid it last year
Asher B.
Hi, i am disabled and receiving my deceased fathers social security through survivors benefits? Will i get the bigger payments too?
Wanda j.
How will I know if I am to receive the retro payment? And when, if I do?
S.S.
Hi, Wanda. 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. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Julie B.
Who is eligible for this retroactive payment? How do you know if you should be receiving one?
S.S.
Hi, Julia. 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. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.