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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Ron G.
For those who have received a retroactive WEP/GPO benefit payment, and you will owe income taxes, HOW and WHEN does one go about it? I’ve found nothing online that explains this process — for this particular occurrence. If you go to the IRS website it gives you an option of making “Estimated Taxes” payments, but that leads you to a five (5) payment/quarterly system. Is that correct? How can one simply make a single (“estimated”) tax payment?
Oh yeah, I’m posting this on the assumed deadline date to pay without incurring late fees, penalties, and/or interest charges.
Roberta R.
Since the retro payment is being paid in 2025, it will be on the return you file next year. 2024 was the tax return for year 2025, so any income for year 2025 will be filed in 2026.
Virginia A.
I’m a retired school teacher and was not eligible for social security. All I get is my school retirement.
Will I get anything from the fairness act?
4/15/2025
Linda J.
I haven’t received retro payment to date. However, I did receive new benefit amount this month and a letter was received earlier. The media info states that retro payments were paid until the end of March. How does one find out if it being processed in April or beyond and status pertaining to individual?
Jessica
The retroactive payment (or extra money) is only for people who received reduced SSA benefits due to having a pension. No extra money will be sent if you do not fall in that category. Hope this helps!
gloria l.
I filed for Medicare and was told my spouse’s benefit was not payable. because of my gpo pension offset . they only paid me 6 months retro benefits without considering I am currently receiving Medicare which should be my protected filing date would make me entitled to 1 yr retro back pay not 6 months. This is not an initial claim. I have been receiving Medicare since 2019 .. SSa is shortly you back pay
Kathy T.
My situation for spousal benefits mirrors yours, but I have not yet received any retro payment. I just read an article that three Republican senators and one democrat senator are aware of an error in paying some spouses only 1/2 retro. They are working together to correct that error.
Janie H.
Janie Hernandez
April 14
I have not received my retroactive payment or received a letter stating that I’ll be receiving one, I didn’t get my increase on my social security payment either. I’ve called and have been told to wait…
Cindy H.
I am glad I am not the only person waiting on this.
Ron
I haven’t received mine either. Have you had any response from sss?
Sue J.
I haven’t either. I was told also that they are still processing but if they have to hand calculate or some reason it might be until November. Ugh. I’m a retired teacher.
Morgan T.
Thank you President Biden, who put this into motion years ago. Thank you.
JoAnn S.
I have not yet received any retro active payments. I had my ss reduced because of the WEN clause. Have been outraged since I worked and earned that ss benefit. I also had to pay back some and should NOT have had to. I see it says most people got their retro payments the end of March and also got their full payment due back in April. I still only got my reduced payment. Are there lots more people also still waiting? I have not called yet but will by the end of April if I don’t hear anything.
sandra V.
IT is April 15 and I still have not a retro payment, a letter nor has my benefit increased. How can I find out if it is even coming? I was told to wait again.
Lorie J.
Right tht the question ⁉️ I want to know
N is it Rea L or really going to happen
Alex
I got a mysterious extra SSA payment today, 4/15/2025
Liz C.
I am 68 years old and on March 3/23 I applied for spousal social security and was told on a phone interview I was not eligible due to my pension. I applied again on 1/25 and this time was approved due to GOP elimination however, I did not receive any retro pay. I called and was told I was not eligible since I did not have a claim.
Don’t understand why other people get at least the six months retro.
Deanna I.
Same here. I’d like to know this answer as well.
Lorie J.
How do I find out if I will receive One
Chris A.
I called and they told me to just wait. They said retro payments could take as long as Nov of 2025 to be paid. I started getting a small pension from retail clerks $210/mo I reported it timely. They reduced my SSI by same $210. I’m supposed to be reimbursed for the reduction. They took my whole 3rd back pay installment from my SSI.