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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Trisha L.
I am just a single women with multiple health issues. I use to be a professional and started getting sick when I was 40. I was working a small part time job that SS allowed to bring in extra money. Now with new health issues I haven’t been able to do that. I can barely live some months with what I get. To try to buy healthy food and quality vitamins I need. We should be taking care of. I have tried my hardest and don’t wish to be in this situation. It’s so embarrassing at the store using sometimes 3 different payment types. Every knows your business. I hope the President will help us normal folks. Thank you.
Nancy M.
My income is less than $16,000 a year, do I qualify for any extra bennefits?
T.Y.
Hi, Nancy. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you have low income and limited resources, you may be eligible to receive SSI payments. SSI is a needs-based program that makes payments to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI payments are also payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. You can find more information on SSI webpage. We hope this helps.
Sonya S.
This information needs to be clarified! Is this only for the ones that are being paid monthly for retirement and they never had never paid into social security. Another question will this also apply to the ones, that chose to get all their retirement all at once.,that did not get social security taken out as well
annette f.
Will wife’s recieve the retro and increase if their ex- husband’s has now recieved their retro pay?
S L.
This repeal was passed with bipartisan support during the Biden administration and signed into law by Biden. I am amazed that so many believe and probably want to believe that Trump is responsible for repealing it. With Trump so many citizens are blinded by FACTS.
Dan
I applied for Disability in 2022. I was deemed disabled in July of 2024, but denied benefits due to lack of credits because I worked for my local government. I am currently receiving SSI. I guess my question is, what do I do now? I haven’t received any information on the matter, and I’m confused on what to do next. Any information would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
T.Y.
Hi, Dan. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Generally, a person will need to have 40 Social Security credits, or 10 years of work paying Social Security taxes, to be eligible for any type of Social Security benefit. For a complete explanation of credits needed for various types of benefits, visit our Social Security Credits web page. We hope this information helps.
John T.
Will taxes be withheld from the retroactive payments?
Satellite D.
What day of the week can I expect to receive my WEP back pay.
James B.
What day of the week can I expect to receive my retroactive payment.
Sonya S.
When the payments go out, will social security send it to your last known address In their system