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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Maryse
Retroactive payments go back to Jan 2024 only. My WEP backpack just posted 03/12/25.
Mike
I applied for social security benefits as a chronic asthma patient. I worked construction for over 30 years and have been hospitalized several times. My HR at my job put me on short-term disability and then convinced me to apply for long-term disability but then i was released from my job. Would i qualify for disability?
C.B.
Hi, Mike. Thanks for reading our blog. Social Security pays disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or more or end in death. You may find our list of impairments helpful here. To check the status of your application, you can use your personal my Social Security account or our automated telephone services that are available 24 hours a day. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 and, at the prompt, respond “application status.” For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information is helpful.
Yolanda W.
My question is. If you were not a government worker for all the 30 + years I’ve worked. What do we get. I’m 66 years old. Barely making it. I don’t even get my full amount. Do I get a retroactive check. I’m sure there’s many more non government workers wondering will they get a check also. My checks was deducted every pay.
C.B.
Hi, Yolanda. 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.
Maria L.
I applied for Social Security under my
husband, but because I retired from a non-paying Social Security employer they told me I did not qualify for Social Security under the spouses benefit. Will I qualify for this reimbursement under theSSA fairness act
Michelle
This is great, what omb form type I fill out ?
Nita C.
I just received notice from Social Security that I will now begin getting monthly payments based on my husbands social security! I’m 67 and I got retro pay for 2024 so I will lose out on one year, but I’m eternally grateful for what I’ve received and will be receiving going forward. We both worked over 20 years as public service employees , hence the WEP deprived us of sorely needed income. My husband is 75 so he will only recoup 1 year of retro pay and lose the other 9 years the Social Security Fairness Act will not be able to pay him. His monthly check will increase so we’re grateful for that.
Lisa T.
Yes, we just applied for my dad, as my mom passed and he should have got her social security benefit, but the GOP/WFP prevented him from getting her benefits. He will now be getting his rightful survivor benefits. Call your local office and apply!
S.S.
Hi, Maria. 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.
JoLeta R.
I worked for 20 years as a hairdresser and paid taxes at 17 3/4%then I worked in the school system for 20 years and fell under the WEP program. I have been retired for 8 years only receiving 1/4 or my due benefits. What are the chances I will receive my full benefits for the last 8 years?
Joanne F.
How do I find out if I am eligible for this benefit.
C.B.
Hi, Joanne. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
LF
You will not get back 8 years of retro … only back to January 2024.
John V.
Multiple Social Security has advised that they only go back 6 months so if you applied in January of 2025 they only go back to July of 2024…this is confusing…can someone clarify?
Deborah L.
How do I find out if I am going to receive back pay from the fairness act. I taught 1979-2018 in Arkansas and for a couple of months in Colorado.
Theresa C.
Well, I collect anything from this
C.B.
Hi, Deborah. 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.
Lanera S.
It’s really disgusting that money that was rightly owed to us was taken for many years. So, now they have decided to give us victims retro payments for only one year. I have lost nearly $50,000 dollars due to the WEP. I am happy that going forward this unfair situation has been rectified. Thanks to all who worked so hard to get the retro checks out so quickly.
LF
Just remember that this will likely shorten the life of SS funds, unless Congress acts to shore it up. If not it may likely affect our benefits in the not too far future.
J D.
You can thank the Reagan-era Republicans for short-changing us!..and now, with the current administration messing with Social Security itself…who knows if our better monthly check will even happen? Weird times! At least the Biden admin approved our increased benefits..We shall see, if our April payments are correct–or even if we receive one!
Rose
Senator Biden voted for it. Reagan didn’t sign an executive order. Bipartisan.
Lorraine B.
I signed up for my Retirement benefits back in 2015. I’m wondering if I am qualified to receive any of the retro payments?
How does anyone who signed up for Retirement benefits, early get these benefits?
C.B.
Hi, Lorraine. 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. Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Evelyn G.
I am a 60 yr old disabled widow who had a fire in her home two weeks ago and now I have no place to live up my car but social security help when you’re in this situation find a home I can’t find nothing I have don’t have the funds I paid on my bills
S.S.
We are sorry to hear about your situation, Evelyn. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services may include housing, Medicaid, free meals, transportation or help with other concerns. To get information about services in your area for people experiencing homelessness and to find out if you qualify, you can contact your state or local social services or welfare office.
If you are not receiving benefits, we pay disability benefits through two programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to adults and children with disabilities or blindness, and people 65 and older, who have limited income and resources. SSDI is based on a worker’s earnings, not need. To be found disabled, you must be unable to work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least 1 year or to end in death. For more information, visit Apply for Social Security benefits. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. To find someone who may be able to help you, visit our webpage, People Experiencing Homelessness & Their Service Providers. We hope this helps.
Lana S.
I haven’t received any payment. I’m retired postal service taking early retirement
Ernestine C.
I’m eighty three worked under the civil act for 43 years with VA hospital will I get the retroactive pay
LF
If you received benefits in 2024 that were reduced under WEP, then it is likely. If not, then probably not. But you would have still had to otherwise qualify to receive benefits, such as having paid into it for 40 quarters.
C.B.
Hi, Ernestine. 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.