General, Social Security Benefits

Social Security Pays Billions of Dollars in Retroactive Payments

March 5, 2025 • By

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Last Updated: April 18, 2025

Social Security Administration SealThe 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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  1. Karen D.

    I think everybody is different. I got my Social Security retro in April for January February and March. I will get my first actual Social Security check this coming Wednesday in May. I have not yet received my retro for the year. I guess we just have to wait. Most everyone I know got their new Social Security payment and their retro back in February

    Reply
    • Mike Q.

      Yep I have friend that got a check from ss for 8 thousand and only paid in 7 thousand

      Reply

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