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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Laurie
I didn’t receive my retroactive pay from Social Security’s since my approval, dated back in October 2024. When will I get that payment?
JoAnn B.
Hi Laurie and everyone,
I am waiting too and have been hoping for this injustice to be rectified for over 19 years. I was a teacher in Maine. This WEP and GPO adversely affected my divorce, eligibility for benefits when former spouse died and now my monthly stipend is $41.00 (doesn’t buy many groceries). I have heard crickets so far and I check online every day. I hope they can pull this off and get this rectified. It will give me some hope that just maybe some good things are happening in our government. Help someone! I’m one of the 3.5 million who were punished for being a teacher in those states that thought this was going to be a good idea. I wish I had understood this at the time. I would have reconsidered my profession.
M F.
I, too, am a retired teacher who has not received back SS due to WEP. I paid into SS prior to becoming a teach, even on jobs I worked as a teenager and after retiring. I am 73 and would like my SS before I leave this earth. My daughter was also cheated out of her share of my SS, which I qualified for when she was a teenage. This all seems so unfair to my family and me. How did we come to this in America?
Lanie
I really wish Social Security would consider not taking away one partners salary when they pass away. It really changes the lifestyle for someone that has worked their entire life and forced to sell and live below standards they are accustomed to 😒 very sad.
Joseph C.
I was cut 60% and I’m still waiting for my Social Security to be reinstate every time I call all I get is you’ll get a letter soon when I talk to others I worked with and who retired way before me and some after me they have received their payment. I’m wondering why I’m being discriminated against.
Candi
BIDEN’S Social Security Fairness Act is a United States law that repealed the Social Security Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision. The bill passed the House in November 2024 and then passed the Senate in December. It was signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025.
Stan.
Can my wife(a retired teacher with a retirement) entitled to half of my social security. She is 78 and I am 80. Because of the social security fairness act??
Russell C.
They took away my money for almost 20 years, 19 1/2 years, will I get reimbursed for that also since that wasn’t fair or legal?
Hana
I agree with on that!
Gloria
My former colleagues have received their checks but I’m still waiting! Hope to hear soon and I’m grateful as I’m 90 and would appreciate the increase! Thanks.
Linda T.
I receive Social Security. I came under the WEP regulation, too. I have yet to receive any information nor has my husband.
How much longer until we hear?
Michelle S.
My Ss was reduced when I retired due to my small pension from working at a school for a few years, my husband and sister both received the one year back payment, I have received nothing. March is almost over , I feel like I missed in the ss update
Crystal
I receive a divorce spouse annuity from Railroad Retirement from my spouse of over 20 years. Will I be included in this increase from Social Security with the spell that goes goes into effect on April
C.B.
Hi, Crystal. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Please visit the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board website to learn how the Social Security Fairness Act effects railroad retirement annuities. We hope this helps.