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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Pandora
Just noticed a deposit for retro pay on March 4th. Apparently we’re getting the notification after because of mail issues, I’m sure. Thanks again Pres Biden for signing the SS fairness act on Jan 5th. Glad Congress passed it before the new administration took office. Finally getting my full SS benefits that I paid into for years.
Carrie B.
Interesting that people who never paid in are getting it too. Biden could have bought a lot of votes with this if he had gotten it across the finish line a month earlier.
Justina
The wep gpo repeal was a bipartisan effort to restore ss benefits that we earned but were denied. Who are you referring to that never paid into the system?
Susan K.
Everybody who is getting this money paid into SS! What are you talking about. Get your facts straights about what this money for.
Maria G.
How can a person find out if their going to receive a retroactive payment through SSA?
C.B.
Hi, Maria. Thanks for reading our blog. Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail. We hope this helps.
Rainey A.
SSA phone agents are providing incorrect information if the actual Act text that states applicability of Fairness Act is accurate. Several SSDI recipients with both PUBLIC and PRIVATE sector work credit eligibility and WEP reduced Disability pay (for those taking disability retirement before FRA) and lump sum w/d of gov’t pension funds at retire date from non-covered job is their vested “pension benefit” just not in a monthly amount, (paid out in lump sum). SSA is telling many of these callers they are blanket ineligible for WEP/GPO adjustment AND retroactive payments simply based on their SSDI eligibility. (“You do not qualify for this F.A. pay because you are on disability benefits”). Per the contents of the Act’s provisions and criteria for eligibility this is false info. From SSA website: “… The Act applies to benefits you get on your own record (retirement or disability benefits) and to spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefits on…” DISABILITY. Please clarify here and teach agents this fact.
Joyce K.
Thank you President Trump and also to the Republican controlled Congress! Promises made and promises kept. Every American that has worked hard and paid taxes their entire life, REALLY Appreciate what you are doing for American citizens. MAGA! I am so happy to be living to witness all the great things you are doing every single day this time around. Very exciting times – it really is a Golden Era for America! <3
Kate
Signed by Biden, not Trump. Do your research.
Mike M.
Pres Biden signed law releasing our money in Dec2024. Opposed by Senate Republicans and pres-elect Trump.
Susan K.
Trump had NOTHING to do with this–Get your facts straight!
Mark R.
Thank you President Biden for your work to get Congressional Republican to finally vote to pass this bill
Joseph c.
I had a back injury in 2010 I am on SSA but I get about 1.265.00 a month. I can barely make rent or food. Do I get retroactive I had to wait 2 years to get on SSI. In 2012.
Shakiya A.
I’m currently homeless but receive disability 1240. I can’t find a place bc they either have waiting lists or I have to make 3 times the rent. Last year I was illegally evicted afteri paid my rent to fit the year. I didn’t receive any type r of paperwork and I was on the phone with legal aide while they were doing it and they were told they couldn’t do it because the slum lords and I were waiting to go to court but afterwards I haven’t heard anything from the courts. I was awarded both ssa and ssi but they told me because my disability was over 725 I couldn’t get the ssa I’m supposed to be getting. I’ve written letters and nonstop phone calls. With no help. Am I getting the retro check? Because we really need it.
T.Y.
Hi, Joseph. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. People who receive both a pension based on work not covered by Social Security and a Social Security benefit (retirement, spouse, disability, or survivor) may receive an increase. Please visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage for information. We hope this helps.
KP
I dont get it. CSR employees get 70 to 100% pension where as FERs employees get 20 to 40% pension. FERs employees paid social security tax for retirement but CSR employees did not pay. So why do they qualify to get social security plus high pension? May be I am misinformed but this is what I understood.
Rose
CSRS employees only get 70% if they have about 37 years service. They have to take a 10% reduction to cover spouse 55% if they die. They also get no match on thrift savings. SS recipients spouses get up to 50%, survivors 100% of employees retirement. There’s no fairness for anybody. All trade offs.
Ellen
For those of us who have not yet received our payment is it possible to call social security to check the status of our account?
T.Y.
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question, Ellen. You may contact their local Social Security office with questions about their specific case. To find the contact information of your local office, visit our Office Locator page. We hope this helps.
Deborah R.
I worked for the Army in Germany as a civil service employee and worked for the AirForce in Greece. I belive I was under CSRS and not FERS. I’m not sure those wages were included in my benefits. Greece was 1982 through 1985. Germany was I believe 1986 to 1988. An you please help and see if my wages are included in my pay.
Meryl S.
Thank you President Biden for signing the appeal for WEP. President Trump may appear to be responsible for this act but those who are truly informed know that he is not responsible for this but merely following through on the legal measures you are responsible for implementing!
Loretta s.
I applied for ssi because of an accident at work went to court the judge awarded me full dissibility , however I ended up on ssid and then they take half of that because of the accident paying me a lump some ten years before I filed why don’t they have to give that back I don’t see how it’s even legal to do it ss had nothing to do with my getting hurt ten years prior