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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Cathy B.
I’m sorry, don’t understand this, I paid into SS all my working years. The people with non-pension did NOT so why are they collecting SS??
Emmitt B.
I paid into SSI on my second and third jobs working as a nurse. I also retires from 25 years of Firefighting. I only want what’s fair! THE amount I paid into SSI should come back to me at a equal rate as everyone else, Not be deducted because I worked extra hard ! PS my health to a hit from all the work
Katrina W.
We did pay into Social Security. We I retired from my civil servant job, I couldn’t apply for SS because of WEP. We were penalized for having another pension. I applied for my money and got it this month!
Lisa T.
Katrina, did you also receive any retroactive payments, or did they just start to send you your owed Social Security monthly amount? We didn’t know to apply for this for my Dad after he was denied benefit in 2014 under the GOP/WFP. Just trying to find our if he will get any back pay.
Pam H.
Nobody on social security should be paying more than 25% of their check for rent. My check is 1400.00 and my rent is 1300.00 per month.
Next step is homelessness. The federal government needs to step in and set rental prices because landlords are being pigs.
Connie J.
My husband’s account on the portal shows his retro payment paid on March 3. He has also received a benefit update letter. He has still not received the retro payment in his bank account. I know SSA has his correct banking information because his regular March payment went in on time. Is this normal?
Renato E.
Why this 1,127,723 number haven’t going up ??
It’s been more than two weeks now.
Caroline B.
Thank you Joe Biden for repealing this law!
Larry R.
I’m not sure, am I going to receive the rest of my Windfall Elimination and the provision Act. Also will I get the rest of my back pay for the year of 2024?. Will my social security change in the month of April 21st which is my 69th birthday. I was in the air force for 4 years. Then I worked in the government for 36 years, plus I worked at Walmart part time for 4 years. I worked over 40 quarters to be eligible to get social security monthly. I started receiving social security 2018. And I was getting only $133 dollars each month until 2025.
S.S.
Hi, Larry. 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.
Patrice D.
Will I receive my back pay from 2018, when I started to receive my monthly payments. They said they over paid me when it wasn’t my fault and I didn’t knw they over paid me… Because the judge stopped my payments in 2013, it made my life hell, it put me homeless..I’ve sent letters over..So I feel I should get my backpack, because I’ve been disabled since 2000.. PATRICE D.
S.S.
Hi Patrice, thank you for using our blog. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. It may be best for you to visit your local Social Security office to discuss your overpayment. Hope this helps!
Terry P.
Sad, very sad. Why is it no one calls their local DHS. Or other government ofc? No one know you need help or assistance unless you ask or tell.
Janet A.
Can a spouse collect on her husbands due to the fairness act, he retired in 2002 as a firefighter and passed away from cancer in 2011.
S.S.
We’re sorry for your loss, Janet. To check if your husband’s heirs may be due a repayment, fill out a Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Beneficiary (Form SSA-1724) (PDF), and send the completed form to your local Social Security office to review. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks for reading our blog.
John V.
A six vs twelve months retroactive spousal support lump sum payment controversy has developed and will likely end up in court. The SSA takes the position that unless one has applied for spousal support payments in writing prior to January 2025 you are only eligible for six months of retroactive payment.
They take the position that being verbally told that you that you don’t qualify due to the Pension Offset provision and providing you a SSA publication that explains why you don’t qualify doesn’t matter.
This position appears to be in conflict with the intent of HR 82. The question now is whether one should file an appeal or wait for further clarification.