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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Dan M.
Anything for veterans? Especially those of us who are suffering from the effects of Agent Orange?
Linda R.
Government employees didn’t pay into social security so every paycheck they got was not reduced by these taxes and they get a pension. Our social security system is not keeping up with the people who have paid in and now we are using this fund for this! If this is important to do, then the funds need to come from somewhere else.
Rhonda
This is for those who worked outside of a pension job…either before or after. We paid into SS for 15 years and got SS reduced by 33% . Imagine that. Just because we had a pension. The retro check won’t make up for the 10 years on SS that we were penalized.
Sheila L.
Will those with disability SSDI be receiving any increase in payment
C.B.
Hi, Sheila. Thank you for reading our blog and for your question. The Social Security Fairness Act ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). Before the law was passed, WEP reduced Social Security retirement or disability benefits for many people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”). GPO reduced or eliminated spouse or surviving spouse benefits for people with a non-covered pension. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information is helpful.
Bruce K.
Why did I receive 2 lump sum amounts?
VickiW
I received little over $3000 in a separate deposit besides my March Social Security. What is this for?
William B.
I persume few people will be upset with the added benefit from the SSFA. My question is about tax liability. Has the appropriate Federal and State tax been withheld? Reciprients need to know this. Is it being taxed?
Karen
Sorry Sally Pres Biden signed this in January, not Trump…
Cheryl
I have already received my back pay. In addition, several friends have received their money also. So, if you have not received your money, it is on the way!
Gail G.
We couldn’t ask for a better President.Donald Trump is clearly working for the people.
Karen
Trump did not do this, Pres Biden signed it in January
Karen
Pres Biden signed this in January, NOT Trump
Kandy D.
I worked for Ohio state government in Human Services. I receive a small PERS retirement pension, which was counted against my SS amount. Am I going to be in this eligibility to restore that money to my Ss Benefit? That extra 200.00 a month would sure help as my SS check is my income, widowed taking care of older sister