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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Joe M.
When will the next retro payments go out, and monthly raises are to be seen?
Barbra. J.
I have worked all my life and i havent.seen any indication of w kickback I also have paid my taxes No excuses. Thank. You.
Norma J.
How do you know if your eligible to receive this payment?
Patricia M.
Today is April 12, 2025 and my husband who’s benefit falls under WEP still has not received his backpack nor an increase in his monthly SSA. Not sure if you are approaching this alphabetically but with the last name starting with M from your article posted here you seem to be well down the road at this point? As a former employee of The Social Security Administration I know first hand how things get lost in this Mammoth program but do we need to visit the local offic or call to get this paid out?
Ann H.
Waiting for Backpay due to Windfall Elimination. I received April SS payment but have not been paid backpay?? Why??
sm
the payment you received in April is technically March’s payment. It’s a month behind. The payment for April will come in May
Mark
Do people who would have been affected by GPO, but are under 65, entitled to a retroactive pay?
Mark H.
I’m on SSDI 3 year’s now depend on SSDI completely didn’t receive any benefits for April 2025 normally 1st of the month or for this month the 9th based on my birthday anyone know why or who to email or call?
Vicki R.
My 2nd Wednesday payment went to a closed account again. Last month you sent it to the correct account but it was a week late. Please delete the Heritage bank information and use the Bank of America information.
V a ramirez
Thank you
Betsy C.
I am a retired Texas teacher, and GPO zeroed out my SSA Survivor’s benefit 11 years ago when my husband died. With the SSFA, those who applied for benefits and received reduced benefits are getting 12 months of retroactive payment. However, with those of us who found that our SS benefit was zeroed out and therefore did not formally “apply” years ago so we could be turned down, we are receiving 6 months of retroactive payment from February 2025 to August 2024. How does that make sense? I’m grateful for whatever I receive, but this seems like a “Catch 22” situation.
gloria
I also was told no benefits for me but I can get Medicare since I was fra and will not be reduced I am currently getting medicare my protected filing date should be my Medicare application get 1 yr back pay should be given to me
Alicia
I’m 51 on social security disability my SSI was totally taken away years ago and I don’t know why. Am I eligible for the fairness act? If so my last name is Lee, when will the funds be sent out?