Social Security Pays Billions of Dollars in Retroactive Payments
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: April 18, 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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Ivelisse L.
Still waiting 125 day for my grandchild SSI
Retro payment I have called always saying it takes longer because of verification have given everything this is ridiculous
Jim W.
Since its taking additional months to getting the one-time catch up payment for some of us, do those additional months get added to the catch-up payment?
jay f.
they better- i’m on month 8 since approved- not one ss worker in person or on phone ever mentions anything about these acts and provisions- they just say it’s taking longer than expected- only once out of about 15 visits and 59 phone calls did someone even mention staff cuts
Linda S.
Does anybody know whether taxes the retroactive payments are before or after taxes?
Bessie
I want to know that as well. Will I be taxed for the refund amounts?
D. A.
CAN YOU PLEASE REMOVE THE POSTS CONTAINING PERSONAL INFORMATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE????
Nancy L.
When will retroactive payments for GPO occur?Are we still all waiting?
Yvonne K.
Yvonne K
I’m still waiting too..
Errol M.
Me to !!!
Annie G.
Annie Greene still waiting
Marlene E.
As a CSRS retiree affected by the SS Fairness Act I have not received this back pay to date 5/3/2025. When will I receive this, how much longer will it take? Appreciate your RSVP on this matter which may affect other retirees in the same situation.
Gary J.
“Well” Wellcome to my world too. I am also prier CSRS employee that has called SSA about the same thing. They said I am in the system but there are thousands of CSRS employers waiting also for their check. Their’s one way to look at it; the more time it takes, the more money they owe us.
Judy
I fortunately got my lump sum back payment very quickly.
Apparently I’m one of the lucky ones. But wait, as a former CSRS annuitant, I had my Medicare taken from my retirement. So now, I have Medicare being taken out of both my retirement and my monthly Social Security Survivors Benefit. Social Security doesn’t seem to know how to stop this double payment. I’ve called OPM, Medicare, Social Security, wrote my Senator (Scott FL) many times, still waiting.
john a.
I too worked for city of clearwater under WEP Windfall elimination Act. I worked 2 terms for 14 years and received my 2 pensions in lump sums. Will social security upgrade my monthly payments from the amount of my lump sum payments. closely monitor manual process procedure to insure compliance
Gerald W.
Gerald Wayne Carlson
Brenda T.
I haven’t figured out what I have to do to get the money. I’m on Social Security and I don’t even make ends meet at the end of the month. If not for my sister before the end of the month.. I don’t know what I would do. well I do know what I would do and it’s not good. I’ve never understood why it can’t be just a flat rate for all Social Security people. How come people that gets more money gets a higher percentage instead of the same amount of money as the poor people. Why don’t they understand we all have to live. I’ve worked my entire life and because I didn’t have high paying jobs. I don’t get very much, Social Security. But I have taken care of many many many people in my life to make their life better. How come it doesn’t help people like me? Why can’t we all get the same amount of money. So far I can’t even get any anybody anywhere to tell me what I’m supposed to do ortell me how to do it. I probably won’t get anything because I don’t know what I’m supposed to do to get this extra Social Security. And now I just received a thing I’m supposed to pick out all the pictures with cars . My glasses is broken and I can’t even afford glasses to look at the pictures to try and find the cars. Why won’t anybody help me please help me
Phyllis P.
Social Security
My name is Phyllis Greenway
My address is 8601 Weekend Dr.
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Previous address. 520 Richard Jackson Blvd.
Beach FL 32407
I am writing this letter to tell you that in 2017 I chose not to take parts A and B because I do not take any prescriptions.
In 2018 I decided I should have parts A and B and added them back as a deduction being 86.
When I did so SSA told me I would have to pay $6.60 per month for the rest of my life.
#1 I’m not able to get online to change my address to get into my online account.
# 2 I have now paid $673.20 over and above my regular deduction for parts A and B for the last 8 1/2 years.
I still do not take any prescriptions.
You are now deducting an additional $7.00 from my Social Security check.
I am on a meager income and need $673.20 and the additional $7.00 per month
Also, I would like to be able to get into my account online with the new address.
Please reply at your earliest convenience
8601 Weekend Dr
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
269 303 3834
Angie
You know the general population can see this? Now we all have your address and your phone number
james c.
take your personal info off this public post
its dangerous for you
delete this post
Victory P.
I am Victory D. Mumford. My ss Number is (587681379) i am looking for my retroactive SS payment that you announced should arrive March 22, 2025. I have yet to receive my check.
Y telephone number: 601/842-4150.
Roberta R.
Just letting you know this is a public blog and you should not post personal info such as a social security number. Other people can see this info. Not even sure that social security staff even read these blogs anymore. They hardly ever respond to a question. You need to either contact them by phone, email or in office.
Teresa
I was pretty surprised to see them post that. they need to call local office not post ss number here
Roberta R.
Please do not post your ss number. This blog is not private.
James T.
When will I receive WEP benefits
Gus
Ever since they got rid of Social Security workers. Social Security has turned into a BIG MESS. benefits will come when social security wants to send them. Some of the people have waited months to get retroactive pay and we still have to jump thru hoops. Nothing is in site .