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.
Suzanne E.
I am a widow of a retired federal employee. How do I know if I am eligible to receive the retro pay and inc in my social security. Everyone around me has received retro checks already
T.Y.
Hi, Suzanne. 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.
Gail T.
Who does this cover? All social security recipients? Or just a certain group ?
Eric S.
Question:
1. How many “months” in the past (e.g. 12, 13, or 14) are being used to calculate the retroactive payment?
Thanks.
Karen T.
How about we talk about survivor benefits? My husband passed, I am entitled, HOWEVER I make over $23,500 dollars a year. So SS and the government get to keep all my husbands SS? Not far. Anybody look at the SWIFT act? How can I get something I am entitled too? This just isn’t for me, this is for every widow or widower out there.
Elka M.
How do I determine if I am being affected by WPA
S.S.
Hi, Elka. 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.
Elka M.
Thank you for a response. I have friends who have been contacted by Social Security about their benefits and some have already gotten a check. I have heard nothing and I’m wondering what the outcome will be. Should I wait until April to try to contact my local Social Security office to see if I am affected as I think I should be?
Elka M.
If I have not heard from ssa should I make an appointment at the local office concerning the fairness act?
C.B.
Hi, Elka. 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. Most state and local public employees – about 72% – work in Social Security-covered employment where they pay Social Security taxes. Therefore, their benefits have not been reduced by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These individuals will not receive a benefit increase due to the new law. If you had a non-covered pension from work, 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.
James P.
I retired from the USPS in1993, when will i received my retro payment
T.Y.
Hi, James. 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.
Alice W.
Wondering is this just for retirement pension . Are whoever’s on SSI.
Marilyn
Is there an order to the way retro payments are being made? Payments each month are made according to birthday. Are these made the same way?
Belle
No. I already got mine & I’m 4th Wednesday.
Paul W.
I received a retro payment this month. What months does this payment include? The statement says it starts in January 2024. January payments are for the previous December. Does the statement mean this or the January one that is paid in February? Does the retro also include months in 2025 too?
Marita R.
So this is for people who never paid into social security? Because it’s unfair for THEM?! My friend just got $5000 and didn’t pay a dime in and gets a sizable pension to boot.