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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William B.
I am a disabled American with multiple disabilities I have been waiting months for my back pay and keep getting the same thing it’s in the process center when I call no one calls back or even acknowledges my issues. I am owed a large sum of money which would pay my bills and keep me in a place to live. Would pay my electric to keep my insulin safe. Why am I being pushed to the side for everyone else. Am I just to die off while others get to live is my family to suffer so others can live happy. Someone please tell me why I am to die so all these others can go on living the good life.
Debra H.
I am the widow of a deceased Louisiana school teacher. He received a pension from his teachers retirement and also worked enough years to get his SS retirement. He didn’t leave any of his pension to me so his pension stopped when he passed .My
own retirement is pretty small . We were married for over 15 years and I have still not received a letter of confirmation for a increase in my Survivor benefits or a retroactive back pay. When will I ?
S.S.
Hi, Debra. 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.
Amanda
I have been employed since 2001, contributing to the Social Security program through my earnings. Unfortunately, in 2008, I became disabled and have since been unable to work consistently. As a result, I have been receiving disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. I have sufficient work credits as of 2008 to qualify for these benefits.
My date of birth is October 4, 1985. Despite my disability, I continue to work when possible.
Below is a detailed summary of my earnings that were taxed for Social Security and Medicare:
| Work Year | Earnings Taxed for Social Security | Earnings Taxed for Medicare |
|———–|————————————|—————————–|
| 2001 | $1,091 | $1,091 |
| 2002 | $1,544 | $1,544 |
| 2003 | $1,268 | $1,268 |
| 2004 | $5,712 | $5,712 |
| 2005 | $2,189 | $2,189 |
| 2006 | $2,332 | $2,332 |
| 2007 | $1,115 | $1,115 |
| 2008 | $4,281 | $4,281 |
| 2009 | $463 | $463 |
| 2010 | $0 | $0 |
| 2011 | $0 | $0 |
| 2012 | $0 | $0 |
| 2013 | $0 | $0 |
| 2014 | $3,466 | $3,466 |
| 2015 | $12,283 | $12,283 |
| 2016 | $1,210 | $1,210 |
| 2017 | $6,183 | $6,183 |
| 2018 | $5,066 | $5,066 |
| 2019 | $5,917 | $5,917 |
| 2020 | $2,322 | $2,322 |
| 2021 | $0 | $0 |
| 2022 | $355 | $355 |
| 2023 | $0 | $0 |
| 2024 | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
Additionally, I have noticed that my family maximum benefit amount is currently set at $0, which I believe is an error. Given my work history and current disability status, I believe my children may be entitled to benefits under the Social Security program. And have award letters but now they get 0. That’s not right and now my father has passed away and I bet anything that they tell me I won’t receive the survivor benefits im entitled to next since ny disability started at 22
I can match my record up to a few other ppls record and I have paid in more and worked more yet they get way more then me and they’re kids are covered .. what did I miss
LF
Not sure if you are aware but this is a semi-public blog and probably should not post personal info as you did, since anyone viewing this page can read it.
Humberto B.
I’m on disability and I retired in Nov 12, 2024 but haven’t heard anything about it yet can I get an update please ?
John S.
The SSA letter we received AFTER the SS Fairness Act deposit notified us they had already appropriated 1/6th of the amount claiming it was “voluntary” withholding. It was no such thing. We are being deprived of that amount for ~15 months despite being in a very low income bracket. The arrogance is stifling and possibly criminal.
Mary A.
Checks deposited to our acct from fairness act are taxes taken out before we receive check?
Gerry d.
How do I know if I’m allowed to get this money
C.B.
Hi, Gerry. 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.
Marilyn W.
i retired under civil services when i started to receive my social security after going back to work to get my quarters I was told that it was offset because of my civil service pension. I am currently still working and paying into social security am I to get the retroactive payment
Cami
We have been retired since 2005. We got the checks for the retro but not for our 20 years of shortage. Is that money going to be returned as my husband & I both had our 40 quarters before entering our government employment?
Danny M.
I retired from law enforcement at 62 and fell under theRegan windfall act . Took my SS. Had to go back to work at age 68 and paid heavily into SS for 6 more years. Will they SS count that on my new benefits ? Plus is there a time line in March for backpay ?
S.S.
Hi, Danny. 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.
Liz M.
I get SSDI…I’m 61yrs old, and also get a pension distribution monthly. I’ve worked at the same company for 25yrs. Do I qualify for this?
S.S.
Hi, Liz. 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.
Donna W.
I received my retroactive payment from Social Security. Were any taxes withheld?
LF
I had the same question and the main SS office was worthless as providing any answer, so I called the local branch and was told that if one opted to have fed. withholding taken out of one’s monthly benefit payments, it would be taken out of the retro pay at the same rate opted for. The rep then confirmed that taxes were in fact taken out of my retro pay which I received about 10 days ago.