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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: General Information, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Jean M.
I am on Disability. I have been applying for Retirement since I turned 62 y.o. why is the office keep sending me responses back saying I’m not eligible for Disability. What’s wronge with your system.
Valerie S.
Sick & tired of lies being published that people on social security retirement benefits are getting a one time check. My husband & I are retired. We recieve 1800.00 a month. After paying mortgage, utilities, food & miscellaneous items we need, there’s nothing left, nothing.
Pamela S.
For all the work that I did and wasn’t reported through employers. Do I get something?
B. I.
I am 98, worked various jobs since 16, will I be entitled to the rectroactive pay?
C.B.
Hi, B. lone. 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.
S. W.
Hello, so there is no way to track the progress of my case’s retroactive pay? I am due 10 years for SSD, granted in January 2024, and started to receive SSI benefits in July 2024 (six/ seven years retroactive payment there; yes I know any money I receive will be deducted from overarching SSD case.) Apparently my case still needs to be updated and transferred (?) via the ‘Head Office’ (Maryland) for it to become SSD-specific/ based. I get the run around at the office or when I call so I thought, for whatever reason, that I may get a more constructive response(s) here? Thank you in advance. I know my situation is a quagmire but whatever advice you may be able to provide is very much appreciated.
S.S.
Hi, S.Wallace. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to discuss your situation. Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Keep in mind, wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this helps.
Michelle P.
God bless you President Joe Biden for insuring that our rightful money began to be paid to us after the lump sum. God keep you!
Harvey B.
Does retroactive payment have any subtractions from it ? Will the retroactive payment be taxable income ? Communication received from Social Security Administration does not answer these questions.
Nora
Will ALL CSRS recipients eligible for the Fairness Act increase? Are CSRS/FERS recipients eligible for the Fairness Act benefits on their CSRS portion? Are CSRS and CSRS/FERS recipients considered complex cases?
Thank you
S.S.
Hi, Nora. 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.
Gaius G.
To be clear, Trump did not sign this into law – Biden signed the repeal of the WEP and GPO.
Melodie G.
I am a 100% total and permanent Disabled Veteran. I applied for Social Security Disability Feb 10 and it has been stalled on Step 4 since then. Was just wondering if there was anything I needed to do. I have not received any communications from you. Thank you.
Jo
It takes a year or more to obtain a decision for disability.
SSA performs medical reviews among other criteria and evidence. My husband applied for disability in August. In December, he received a medical questionnaire packet.
Still in medical review 4 months later. With all the cuts DOGE is making, this will only delay decisions even further.
S.S.
Hi, Melodie. Thanks for reading our blog and for your questions. Earnings for active-duty military service or active-duty training have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Only people who receive a pension based on work not covered by Social Security – a “non-covered pension” – are affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). If you do not receive a non-covered pension, you will not receive a benefit increase due to the Social Security Fairness Act. For more information, read Military Service and Social Security. We hope this helps.
Colleen L.
You need a lawyer to speed this up