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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Catherine H.
I would like to know whom received these retroactive benefits. What was their average income level? I have not received a dime. And I think it’s horrible that you cut off payment to people with virtually no notice. This all sounds very fishy to me.
Terry
You should receive the SSA website to see who received the retroactive money and why. Only about 3 million out of the 72 million social security recipients are getting this money.
Karen S.
I received a payment from SSA for WEP, but it is much lower than my calculation. When I started to take SS ten years ago, my benefit was only 40% of what it should have been. Does the retroactive payment take into consideration the COLAS over the years, or is it based on what it should have been ten years ago? Will my new amount be based on COLAS over the years?
Susan K.
I’m in the same position as you. I guess sooner or later we will find out. The retro is only for one year from January 2024, so start with that number.
Dan S.
It is based on COLA through the years.
Ann M.
Do I have to apply for the windfall act? If so what do I do? Thank you.
S.S.
Hi, Ann. Thanks for reading our blog. 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. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail. We hope this helps.
Cindy W.
This might help me retire. Worked 47 years. Can’t afford to retire . I am 71.
Chrimeshame
I work 46 yr & is 70 yrs old . This might help me retire . I paid into S.S. but couldn’t receive it because I only have 29 quarters & I need 40 quarters to receive S.S. I work for P.O . & I ‘ m civil service . S.S isn’t taken out . Do u have to be retired to receive it & will I qualify . Anyone knows ?
Darlene B.
what about people that worked for the school system and payed into ssa but was short on credits.
S.S.
Hi, Darlene. 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.
Cindy B.
If you don’t have 40 quarters of SS covered work where you paid into SS you will not be eligible for SS payments. If you are married you may be eligible for family or “spousal” benefits. This is my situation, too. I previously applied for spousal benefits knowing I would be denied because of the GPO. Because I already was denied and in the system I received a retroactive payment yesterday and will start receiving monthly benefits without having had to do anything.
Greg N.
The Social Security Fairness Act was passed by a bipartisan Congress and signed by President Biden just 2 months ago. Thank you very much to the hardworking SSA office staff for implementing it already!
That said, if Acting Commissioner Dudek says they are “proudly delivering for the American people”, why does he want to cut staff and close local offices?
Terry H.
He doesn’t want to cut. It’s Trump and DOGE that are cutting.
joe w.
Is the payback 150.00 per from medicare part B is for real or it is not true. Let me know.
Pam A.
Would you kindly provide daily progress charts for the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act?
The last update was on 3.3.25 showing 20% progress for 0.6m.
Thank you expediting the execution of Public Law No: 118-273!
Karen M.
Did these people pay into SS? If not, they are not entitled to draw.
Carlene H.
I agree!
Nancy
Yes, we paid into SS. In my case, I paid in for 25 years, then changed careers where I paid into a pension fund instead of SS. My SS that I would have earned based on my 25 years of paying into was discounted because of the career change.
Jennifer S.
This is about SS. But how about the OPM reduction mine was 16% for 15 years.
Timothy J.
PLEASE HELP! My SSDI claim was approved in July 2024, retroactive to my disability onset in June 2020. However, I have NOT received my back pay or even a letter regarding the status of it! I have called SSA every month for the past 8 months only to be told to call back again in 30 days! My attorney was paid immediately, but where is my FOUR YEARS of back pay?!