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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James H.
I started to receive my SSD payments on Jan 3 of 2025. I have yet to receive any back payments when will they be coming as surely that influx will do much to help my family.
D W.
Got mine and boy what a surprise it was when that check came! I am very thankful.
I really appreciate all the hard work that was put in to get this changed so that people can get their hard earned $$
Thank you
Emmitt B.
The System is inept at best you work two and three jobs, your entire life… Just to be told the benefits you are entitled to will be decreased why? BECAUSE YOU WORKED TO HARD!!! License to STEAL!
Katrina A.
I don’t feel alcoholics and drug addicts should be able to collect SSA for the rest of their lives. The only difference in their lives is now they can drink and do drugs on society’s dime! That should be covered by the welfare depatments.
Tee
That comment doesn’t even make, no sense, whether they are drunk or a drug addict does not have anything to do with their pension., or ssa,. So what about all these people to eat four boxes of junk food and drinking all of these unhealthy energy drinks everyday, should they not pay them their SSA too. LOL 😅
Eve
You need to mind your own business, society will take care of itself. Just pay attention to your own business. With everything going on, you’ll have something to worry about detrimentally in the future I’m sure
MARK Q.
I’m a csrs offset recipient. I haven’t got my retro check. When will I receive it?
Dorothy F.
I am a 35 year teacher with LAUSD. When can I expect my Windfall (retro) check?
C.B.
Hi, Dorothy. 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 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.
Linda L.
Payments may come through April.
They are not sending checks.
Does the SS have your bank/CU info to make the deposit?
SS is not answering the phone. Go stand in line instead.
Linda G.
I’m wondering when I’ll receive mine, too.
Marvin B.
I am not getting my full spousal retroactive payment back to January 2024. Just 6 months lump sum. I am told that standard SSA policy on spousal allows only 6 months. This is in conflict with the law hr 82 which should give an additional 5 months payment back to January 2024. Is any other spousal beneficiary experiencing this problem?
Beyan M.
Same problem, I fail to understand how SSA policy can circumvent law.
Jeryln G.
I haven’t received any retro active pay and will receive my first check in April, I am told. However, I see that my past benefits would cover from December 2024 to February 2025 with $185 being deducted for Medicare However, I have had that amount paid for each of those months plus March from my personal checking account.
I am part of the fairness act due to my deceased spouse’s social security
Jenna U.
I am receiving my monthly benefit, but as yet, no reimbursement check at all .
Marvin B.
Yes-
I am getting the same story but my research shows that this is wrong. Standard Spousal Benefit procedures are separate from the Social Security Fairness Act. The act overrides the standard spousal procedures so SS is not interpreting this correctly. People should ask for manual reviews on HR 82 adjustments.
Jim F.
I’ve been told I have two benefits and as of today (03/26/2025) I have yet to receive anything.
No letter no monies, nothing.
Do I have any recourse or should I just wait till after I get my April check. I recieve 55 dollars a month after my Medicare is paid. I imagine my April check will be the same as my march check. If I’m going recieve nothing, I’d appreciate hearing that, so I can stop anticipating anything
Thanks, JF
George P.
Make sure to reach out to your congressman to assist you with the social security administration.
Iris H.
I have not received no monies or letter concerning my Mar 26 Social Security Fairness Act retroactive payment. Birthday end of month.
C.B.
Hi, Jim. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information about your account in this venue. Therefore, we can only respond to general questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. You will need to contact us regarding your benefits. Call us at 1-800-772-1213. Keep in mind that 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 information helps.
Delisa m.
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Linda J.
I would like to know will everyone be to get these payments that on SSI because trying to live off 967 a month isn’t much after paying bills
Colton W.
That is so true I’m on Ssi and hope they raise it too
Helen S.
I contacted the SS office and got in once. {HaHa} I logged in again and was locked out. Haveing to be sent a code because the phone number on their files wasn’t the same as the one I entered. That is crap! I’ve been useing the same phone number since I signed up for SS. If the phone number is wrong one of the SS employees entered it incorrectly. This comming from the CSR I was speaking with. Do you have to get an appointment with the SS office to find out what you should be able to find out on line? No Senior wants to go stand in line for 6 hours to be turned away that a simple only logon could solve. Or receive a no nonsence answer that someone could have simple answered over the phone. What is the problem? No one seems to be able to get any information and your wonderful CSR’s act as if you are takeing up way to much of their time.