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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Carol F.
Money was deposited in my checking account and a received a statement via email. I can not access the statement as Ido not have windows 10. Can you resend the statement in pdf format.
J. L.
Why are people getting SS benefits that NEVER paid in?
Mary B.
On 3/4/25, $19,249.98 was deposited into my checking account at my credit union. I do not know why and am concerned that this is a mistake. I receive spousal survivor benefits from SS and a pension from Ohio Public Employees Retirement
System. Please advise me what to do, can I spend the money or not??
S.S.
Hi, Mary Beth. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Anyone who received a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the retroactive payment. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Debra
What a wonderful thing you are doing ❤️ my sister just received $5,000.00. On the 10th. She told me to check my bank. I did but nothing received. Hope to though.
Prima
Have there been overpayments in the Social Security Fairness Act?
Daniel f.
Yes
Subir S.
What is WEP and GPO ? Please clarify !
Virginia M.
I have not received a letter of thee Fairness Act nor have I received any retrro pay
Janette W.
I am a retired Dallas county government tax clerk.when will I get a letter concerning the social security fairness act
Mary L.
I am a retired Mass teacher. I had to retire early and take a lump sum payout so I would not loose my ss credits from past 50 years of working in public sector. I worked from 2009 to 2017 and was not able contribute to social security. This monies went into a pension fund that I was told as a must. I then received noticed each year showing increased total only to be advised had I not taken my lump sum I would leave lost it. I also paid a sizable tax on the amount. Can you tell me if I am entitled to a refund/correction. Thank you
C.B.
Hi, Janette. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. 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. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
David R.
Good ! I need the help! My wife is an Alzheimer’s patient ! Alzheimer’s is creating hell on earth ! I am 87 years old . I hope to live long enough to care for her! She was diagnosed with this horror 9 years ago! Please tell our leaders to put more focus on public health body and MIND !
William B.
All this talk about government retired government workers getting money what about those of us that were promised money already and still have to wait I have back pay from 2021 that is still yet to be paid to me because it’s tied up at the processing center because they’re all working on this retired government workers pay you guys got your retirement packages every company I work for never had a retirement package we didn’t get retirement packages being delivery drivers you don’t get retirement packages working in a warehouse when I became disabled I had a stroke now I have seizures I can’t work I can’t drive I have my bills that have to be paid My lights are about to be shut off because everybody is worried about retired government workers what about Americans that need their money now and are being neglected by social security what about us Y’all want to talk about oh I get 5,000 a month in retirement I don’t I get $1,300 a month and benefits that’s it when my electric bills are running a thousand plus a month who’s there to help me you guys ain’t social security ain’t because they’re too busy let’s talk about that why don’t somebody reach out to me from this government of ours and say hey we understand your problem we’re here to help you fix it right now I have insulin sitting in my refrigerator My power goes out I can’t take my insulin I end up in the hospital what about us what about the thousands of Americans like me that are suffering because everybody’s worried about retired government workers what about the everyday Joe that built this cut this country on the back the sweat the tears the blood of their their bodies working everyday the production workers the truck drivers the the delivery drivers the warehouse workers what about us you guys wouldn’t have would have had jobs if it hadn’t been for workers like me people like me and my family and my ancestors who built this country but work put aside for you guys and that’s b*******
George s.
Just more lies from our communist government….who stole over $800.00 out of my VA pension an the last page says not even a federal judge can change it..
Ted l.
I did not recieve my retro check
Subir S.
What is WEP and GPO ? Please clarify !
C.B.
Hi, Subir. Thanks for reading our blog. WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset) are provisions that affect how certain retirees receive Social Security benefits. WEP reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security, such as certain government jobs. GPO affects spousal and survivor benefits, reducing them for those who receive a pension from non-covered employment. For more information, visit our Social Security Fairness Act webpage. We hope this helps.
Blanca F.
I began applicaion process for spousal benefits in January 2025 and completed thru phone interview 3-11-25. I am 73 and had not applied earlier because was told not eligible (wep/gpo). Checked my account and was approved . I requested 6 months retroactive lump sum and was told the system would automatically do this. My benefit letter does not show this. I am past my FRA and I don’t understand why it was not applied.
Kathy P.
Totally confused.
I’ve been trying to get into my account for days and still not able. SOOOOO frustrating
C.B.
Hi, Kathy. We are sorry to hear you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still encountering a problem with your personal my Social Security account, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk.” We hope this helps.