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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Marilyn
My husband and I both retired from teaching, in public school systems, after forty years. Neither of us have received any information on this, should we have by now? Do we have to submit some form?
S.S.
Hi, Marilyn. 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 your work as a teacher, 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.
Rhonda
How many months did the retro check cover. Was it 12 months, 13, 14, 15 or 16? Thanks.
Darla
That is my question as well. I would also love to see a statement to see if taxes were taken out of the lump sum check for back pay.
Cathy M.
How do you know who gets one?
Sarah R.
I’m 71 and my SSI check is only 1200 dollars a month and I can hardly pay my bills.
Patricia A.
Haven’t got a check yet
Madonna S.
I am a retired teacher that did work another job drawing SS. My hu8SS is more than mine. Will the retro pay be based on mine alone or both? Also my monthly SS check….I thought I could drW off my husband due to him making
More than I do.
Bet
I’m on early retirement disability…I worked for 35 yrs and paid in. I’m 57 and would like to know.
Thank you.
YORK M.
If we had gotten the funds deposited into our accounts, does it have to be paid back as some people are saying?
Rosemary F.
Do i qualify for the lump sum? I’m not yet receiving ss yet I wanna wait til I’m 66.5 then I will apply
Ethel
I get ss I don’t get enough money to stay home I am 71 years old I still have too work too make ends meet they tell u you can retire you can live happy ever after what a joke I get 1437 a month can some one tell me how I work 80 hours every two weeks
Sharon
You are more than $300.00 above what I get, and believe me, I feel your pain. I can’t get a studio alt here under $600. A month not including anything but water.
Frozz
To start people need to think ahead about the future . Why didn’t you or others try to find jobs with pensions or retirement benefits or put money away so you can retire with more . Social security was never meant to retire on and have enough money to live on.
Eddie H.
For those praising trump, this has nothing to with him. It’s from the Biden Social Security Fairness Act. So you should thank Biden.
Gary L.
Nobody said to thank Trump Trump is just making sure the money is being sent out in a timely manor that’s all.
Annette s.
Right👍
Rochell
Check Norma O comments below. Thanking Trump. Lol
Give me a break. Thanking the man who’s firing all the people in the government and causing complete chaos in this country!!
James W.
I will thank Trump anyway. Biden was a huge load on this Country who didn’t do anything constructive to help the average American. I will say Biden did enrich himself, his family, and the higher up echelon of the democrat party.
A s.
Yes!
scott
I appreciate your point..but it was bipartisan thankfully…or it never would have passed…Rump and Biden supported it…just giving some accuracy…
zohreh G.
Thanks to president Biden.
Marie
You are right. Biden did this before he left office. Thanks for letting everyone know the truth.
D.
Trump is simply rushing to implement it. Why is that bad?
Dana
If that’s true why doesn’t Trump stop it?
Annette s.
Ha only thing he’s done.
Paula &.
Yes, exactly!!
Paula &.
Yes, exactly!!
Rochell
Exactly!! Dems help us and they get voted in to clean up Republicans big messes.
Then they vote for Republicans in office to take all the credit for all the Dems hard work!!
Every single time!
Mervin
no you need to thank the Republican House that passed the bill. Biden had nothing to do with it other than do an automated signature you Trumo hater!! Grow up and quit spreading lies.
C M.
It was congress who passed the bill. Biden signed and Trump put the push on getting us the money. It went well wouldn’t you say.
Traci
Yes!!!
Bp
Thank you!
Dr H.
I thank President Biden for everything he has done
Annette
Not true
Rochell
Exactly my point! Dems do all the hard work and republicans will swear (lie) especially on Fox (faux) News, giving republicans the credit for the Dems clean up. For evidence, check out Obama 8 years (2 term) of his hard work cleaning up Bush big mess! And who did Putin bring into the oval office (1 term) to took all the credit for Obama hard work?? I had more money in my savings the entire 8 years Obama was in office! I suggest everyone find an unbiased news source and discover the real TRUTH so you can finally wake up! Now…I am done with this weak political talk. I have better things to do and a meaningful conversation elsewhere. (drop the mic)
C L.
The Windfall Elimination Provision is for people who work as “public servants” such as School.Employees. My mom worked in the private sector for 20 years and paid SS. When she went to work for a school district she paid into a pension instead of SS. At retirement, she got a small pension so her SS benefits were reduced even though she paid into it for 20 years. People who are getting this refund are those who paid SS, but we’re denied full benefits
Loretta D.
I worked for a State Agency and not enough SS credits. When I retired I applied for my husbands social security which was denied because of the Windfall Act. Am I now eligible for the Fairness Act?
Lyda L.
Thank you for clarifying! This makes sense. The way it is framed by the SSA is unclear. Makes you wonder if Trump is aiming to quickly settle up these claims before shuttering the doors and windows…
Norma O.
Thank you President Trump.
R c.
Trump didn’t do this. Bill was passed under Biden administration.
marci h.
Biden Adm passed this policy please!!!!!!!!
Gail
Has nothing to do with Trump! Was implemented by the Biden administration! Trump’s just trying to take credit…Z usual.
Janet
Try to keep up…it was signed by President Biden on January 5, 2025. Trump had nothing to do with it. 🤦♀️
Marilyn
This is from Biden’s term, not Trump.
Charles T.
NOT trump! This is what Biden did for us
Rochell
Thank you president Biden!!!! . We would not have this if not for you. 👍🏽👏🏽
Trump is firing all the people in Gov.
thank Trump for that if you like thanking him for chaos !!
Charles B.
Sorry this was under Biden administration.
Signed January 5, 2025.
John
It was President Biden who signed the Social Security Fairness Act legislation, not Trump.
Carolyn J.
Thank President BIDEN, he signed the repeal January 5, 2025. One of his last acts in office.
C.V.
For what? This came from the bill Joe Biden before he left office in January.
Jane D.
Norma O. Why are you thanking Trump. When it was President Biden that implemented this act…….. Thank the right people & God, for this blessing.
Mary P.
This is from the Biden Social Security Fairness Act, passed during his presidency. So I guess you can thank Trump for not canceling it, if you want- but not for passing it.
Lynda J.
Why is SS misleading the public by not stating The Fairness Act applies to those who paid into a pension plan AND worked jobs where they paid into SS for a minimum of 40 Quarters? SS needs to tell the whole truth.
Edith S.
I agree they are not reporting this process accurately and it will never be corrected unless the investigation is thorough enough to include ALL PARTIES who paid into Social Security and give credit for full years paid into Social Security. I am a victim of WEP &GPO. I paid into SS both prior to and during my employment with a public school. This totals 40 years paid into SS and 28 years paid into SERS, school employees retirement system. I currently recieve $428. from SS. The last I knew Noone could collect SS retirement income without having paid into SS for a minimum equivalent to10 quarters. So where is the media getting the information that this repeal is to provide payment to people who did not pay into Social Security at all. Elon Musk needs to think outside of his computer box.
Steve l.
That’s right,mine was cut in half
So S.
After years of working, having paid into SSA, I applied for my RSDI benefits. I last worked FT in 2010. I had cancer and could not do my previous position. I applied in 2010 and was denied. I did not appeal I tried to go for my MSW and then my CDL. I worked a few jobs verrrrrry part time and applied again in 2016. I was denied again and this time I appealled. The SSA HO explained I was denied because my VA med records didn’t support my claim. I went to VA to search for my missing records and they were NOT RECOVERED until 2022. I tried to find a lawyer to help me but they all wanted me to start from scratch. If I do I will not qualify for my Rsdi. The VA had archived my medical records erroneously. I had NH Lymphoma Large B cell diffused chemo, radiation, TBI, detached retina, PTSD, MST, first cataract in my 40, 2nd n cataract now, from my radiation I now have CHF and restrictive and obstructive lung function, bad knees, depression and anxiety. I asked for a GC reconsideration but my office still denies me. Why? Because I don’t LOOK ILL. They told me they are sorry I can’t do what I use to do, but to do something. I go to Dr appt nearly 2 to 4x a week. I feel like I’m in a bad Twilight Zone.
Dana
Good grief. 😣
SARAH
Get a lawyer. It’s the only way to beat the system.