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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Karen P.
I ha e posted here a couple of times since March 2025. Also have called SSA three times. I have spoken to someone each time. All they could tell me was my record had been flagged. Another poster gave the best advice. The said to contact your state Congressman about this. So April 29, 2025 I went online to their website and filled out a form which outlined my concerns relating to SSA Fairness Act. I attached a file which was a copy of my SSA work record. The form gives them permission to contact SSA directly on your behalf. Here it is May 29th. One month later. In my mail was a SSA letter saying that my monthly benefit would increase due to Offset and that I would be getting a lump sum payment of $5012. So if you haven’t heard anything yet try contacting your Congressman.
Rosalyn J.
There are multiple situations that pretty complex. Social security does have a website to tell you how much has been paid thus far. You can search by your state or zip code. The website also states they are 85% done, so if you’re like me, awaiting spousal benefit and retro pay, try to confirm you qualify and sit back and relax.
Jose R.
I have already created an account with social security and don’t see anything changes not a proposal about this retroactive through the IRS or social security security messages about this topic… how to find out why I am excluded!!!!!
Norman B.
Still waiting for my WEP adjustment. Strange since all my co workers have gotten their increases and retro benefits!?? When you call the local office or any other benefits phone number all you get is sorry you just have to wait? Is there a direct phone number for those affected by WEP? Thanks
Martin A.
I have not received any payment or any information about my social security set aside. How do I find out about my account status. I’ve called the local office and have been told it may take weeks, months or years to get a settlement. That is not good enough. Many people I know have received their settlement.
Linda K.
I was told I was not eligible for the retro fairness act check, even tho I was affected by the windfall. I want to file a dispute. I tried to make an appt at my local office, but the female I talked to said it was no use and to forget about it. What’s going on ??
Meisha
How did you find out you weren’t due the payment?
Linda K.
I called my local office. They said the windfall didn’t affect me but I was told at the time it did
Sylvia
I was csrs and also a csrs offset employee and eligible for spousal benefit. Mine will be a complex case. I qualified for some of the spousal benefit in 2005 because ssa took 110 percent of my ssa and I only received a small spousal benefit. If my benefits are now higher than the spousal benefit, I will no longer receive the benefit. My question is —- will the old spousal benefit be included as grandfathered in my new monthly ssa benefit?
Janie
I have not received anything. Are they still processing?
Cynthia b.
I have not received any payments either?????
Robert J.
I was told, by SSA, that my retroactive benefit goes back only 6 mos from April 2025 and not back to Jan., 2024. When I questioned the SSA rep. she said that is their policy. Has anyone else run into this??
Martha R.
Yes. They told me the same thing.
I was under the impression that they would go back 1 year.
Patsy A.
What and when will we have to pay taxes on this money?
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
Mike Q.
Yep I have friend that got a check from ss for 8 thousand and only paid in 7 thousand
Kim M.
have you received any notification from SSA indicating that your payments have gone up or telling you that you will be receiving more money? or was it just a random deposit in your account?
Judy M.
In April, I received an additional $1700 payment…I did not receive prior notice. Was a nice surprise.
michael n.
thats the same as me. havent received last years(6 months( yet but did jan and feb of 2025.