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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M. L.
It is April 2nd, and l have not received my retroactive payment from Fairness Act. I have tried to reach out in several ways and multiple times… even holding on phone for over 5 hours to no avail. Can someone please respond to those of us who have received no payment yet. WHY? This is very frustrating and upsetting. Thanks
C.B.
Hi, M. Lee. Thanks for using our blog. Most people who are eligible received their one-time retroactive payment already. If you are entitled to the benefit but have not received it, you can 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. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Mike P.
What happens to the gap created by benefit payment days changing? Currently receive on the 3rd of the month now starting in may will receive on the 4th wednesday. I receive limited benefits which just barely meet obligations due the first week of each month so now will be unable to meet may obligations and how will ssa makeup the benefits ie: the month gap???
Shirley
I also haven’t received any payments.
Dave C.
I am also waiting for my WEP reimbursement. It seems all my other friends have gotten theirs, some about a month ago. When will I get mine ?? Also, my LOG-ON ID will not work !!
C.B.
Hi, Dave. Thanks for using our blog. Most people who are eligible received their one-time retroactive payment already. If you are entitled to the benefit but have not received it, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. For assistance with your account, please contact Login.gov help center . We hope this helps.
Candace
I have received backpayment as a result of the SSFA. The amount appears to have deducted Medicare premiums even though these premiums were paid from my WEPed/GPOed payments. Will this be addressed?
Catherine P.
I have not received the retroactive pay that I was supposed to receive by the end of March. When should I expect to receive it?
C.B.
Hi, Catherine. Thanks for using our blog. Most people who are eligible received their one-time retroactive payment already. If you are entitled to the benefit but have not received it, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Dale
We’re withholding taxes taken out of my backpay for 2024 as a result of the fairness act?
Sandra V.
I know some in my area have already received theirs but I am still left waiting with no word. It is now April 2. When will we get some notice?
A letter isn’t hard.
C.B.
Hi, Sandra. Thanks for using our blog. Most people who are eligible received their one-time retroactive payment already. If you are entitled to the benefit but have not received it, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Sandra G.
I am also waiting for the WEP reimbursement and it’s April 2nd. When are we to receive the retroactive payment? How much are you being in sending them out. Please post a response to others who are out there waiting as well.
C.B.
Hi, Sandra. Thanks for using our blog. Most people who are eligible received their one-time retroactive payment already. If you are entitled to the benefit but have not received it, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Kristin S.
I am also waiting!!
Roseanne L.
I have not recieved my retroactive pay that was supposed to come to me by the end of March. I went onto ID.gov to try to get into my account. At the end of the day I recieved codes to use that wont work!
C.B.
Hi, Roseanne. Thanks for using our blog. Most people who are eligible received their one-time retroactive payment already. If you are entitled to the benefit but have not received it, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213. For the many complex cases that cannot be processed automatically, additional time is required to manually update the records and pay both retroactive benefits and the new benefits amount. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Samuel N.
I am Currently on SSDI and heard there a boast in payment will I be receiving one to