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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Kim S.
My widows benefits have been suspended pending more information regarding a private pension. My husband and I were never in a government pension so how long should I have to wait for my benefits to be reinstated? Thank you.
Kim
T.Y.
Hi, Kim. Unfortunately, but for your 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. But remember, never post personal information on social media. We do ask that members in our blog community contact their local Social Security office with questions about their specific case. To find the contact information of your local office, visit our Office Locator page. We hope this helps.
MaryAnn S.
I received my retroactive payment on March 4th, Thank You!
How many months is it for. If it went back to January 2024 is that 13 or 14 months of retro?
Michael A.
Will I get a payment
Carolyn
Will my 50% benefit be based on my husband’s current Social Security benefit ,or will it be based on the amount he received 6 0r 7 years ago when he first applied? As my husband’s benefit increases each year based on the COLA will my benefit increase also?
Marie r.
How are these being given out? Alphabetically, birth date, some have received checks while other still gave not. Just curious as to know how they are picked to get these retro monies?
Felix L.
People that are returned at 62. Are they getting any extra money in their first check in March 2025 and if they are how much extra money would they be getting in their first check?
DaveJ
Try applying for SSI, which is needs-based (over 65, blindness issues, low income). The SS Fairness Act assists workers who contributed to SS for some of their employment and have at least 20 job credits or their spouses. Your county social services office can also help with EBT, home energy assistance payments, temporary emergency cash and referrals to affordable housing. Medicare eligibility starts 3 months before your 65th birthday. State-run Medicaid should be applied for now. Many local area Lions Clubs provide new free glasses referrals to low income people.
Danny
It’s funny the Fed Gov is taking care of Fed Workers (themselves). What about regular working Americans, barely getting buy, but getting taxed on their benefits? All that is necessary is to put it up for vote in congress and call out any of our legislatures who vote against. Seniors are a strong voting class.
Marie
Don’t forget fairness act is for people that never got their full social security earned because they retired with a government pension. Is that fair? NO. SO STOP QUIBBLING about not fair to me. My 20 years paid into social only gave me half my due amount when I retired with a government pension. We are due these back pays.
Frances B.
I worked in the private sector paying in social security for approximately 16-17 years. I then went to work for the Postal Service and worked for them for 33 years under Civil Service, not paying into social security. I have been drawing social security for over 10 years at a reduced amount, due to the Windfall act. Will I be entitled to lump sum payment and more monthly social security. I received a pension from the Postal Service under Civil Service.
T.Y.
Hi, Frances. 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.
Laszlo
I opted to have federal taxes deducted from my monthly SS benefit check. Will the retro pay have taxes deducted at the same rate I opted for on my monthly benefits, or will it be gross pay?