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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Jared
Why do they mention Trump’s name? This is Biden’s policy.
Betty H.
Spouse is teacher who did not pay into SS but did get 40 quarters through minimal summer jobs, etc. My question is why do spousal benefits for the Fairness program only go back six months when WEP benefits go back to January of 2023. Spouse never applied previously for spousal benefits because she would not have gotten a spousal benefit because of GPO rules.
Margaret B.
So do people on SS retirement will not get extra money
Bobbie
Is there going to be a second retro pay?
Terry S.
I would just like to know if I qualify, or where can I find out?
Bill P.
Verlap@icloud.com
Myra A.
How can you find out if you qualify for this payment?
Paulette W.
Do I qualified?
Gale K.
Am on SS at present – do I qualify/will I receive this Fairness Act benefit??? Worked hard to over 40 years…
DALE W.
I would like to know if I qualify, Thank You
Terry
how can I find out if I qualify for this payment?
Sherryl A.
Just wondering if I qualify I was a widow from October 2020-2024
Charles C.
Please leave information
NTC
On a widows benefit what determines how many months are in retroactive to Jan 24.
Paulette W.
I am a widow and I receive social security retirement would I receive retroactive payments.
Patricia A.
I’m a widow since October 2024 and not sure if I understand I will receive or did receive any retroactive money in 2025?
No n.
Wow, increase only for people with pensions. What abput people on disability?
AnnP
I taught in Germany for 5 years through Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS), during that time I did not pay into Social Security. Does that mean I fall under the Social Security Fairness Act?
John L.
I was a firefighter for 30 years, at a government installation and received a pension not covered by SS. I spent 4 years in military and taught college courses where I did pay SS. Plus I have paid my Medicare premiums for the last 18 years. I guess it was okay to get a large check and letter. And another letter about a monthly check which I never got before. But why would I start getting my Medicare premium reimbursed? I don’t want to receive a letter in the future telling me to repay money for over payment. scary!!
SSA-437-BK
You have every right to be concerned because this is exactly what has happened with this Administration, particularly under former Admin
Brenda M.
Do as I did, put it into a special separate savings account and don’t touch it until SSA asks for it back, then you’ll able to comply!