Following the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, millions of beneficiaries are set to receive retroactive Social Security payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA has begun disbursing retroactive benefits to retirees, couples, and surviving spouses who had been affected by two provisions: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which are now repealed.
The Repeal of WEP and GPO
In January 2025, Former President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, repealing the WEP and GPO. These two provisions had reduced Social Security benefits for millions of Americans, especially those working in the public sector who also received a government pension.
The previous rules meant that workers who paid into both a Social Security and a public pension saw their benefits slashed or eliminated. With the repeal of the WEP and GPO, those affected will receive retroactive pay for what they had previously denied.
Who is Eligible for Retroactive Payments?
According to the SSA reports, more than 2.8 million people are eligible for these retroactive benefits. These people comprise 2.1 million retirees and 770,000 spouses and surviving spouses. Additionally, anyone who received reduced Social Security benefits in 2024 because of the WEP and/or GPO is likely eligible for this one-time refund of lost income.
How Much Should Eligible Individuals Expect?
As of March 4, 2025, the SSA had already issued over $7.5 billion to over 1.1 million recipients. The average amount disbursed is $6,710. Most people had received the payment in their bank accounts during the week of February 24. For those who are yet to receive the retroactive payments, the money will be deposited directly into the bank account they provided to the SSA.
Will the SSA Communicate?
Beneficiaries who are yet to receive the retroactive payments should expect to receive one or two notices from the SSA via mail. One notice will confirm the repeal of the WEP and/or GPO from their record, and a second detailing the new monthly benefit amount they are set to receive.
In some cases, the retroactive payments might arrive before any mailed notices, so don’t be shocked when you see a deposit in your account yet you haven’t received an explanation.
What To Do if You Haven’t Received the Retroactive Payment
Individuals who are yet t see their payments are advised by the SSA to remain patient. Although the process of disbursing the payments has been automated, those with complex cases that require manual updates might take longer.
The SSA has also asked beneficiaries not to contact them until the end of April. This will allow the system time to catch up, and individuals will have enough time to gather accurate information when reaching out to the SSA for missed payments.
Summary
The Social Security Fairness Act repealed WEP and GPO provisions, and now 2.8 million people who had been affected by the two provisions will receive retroactive payments averaging $6,710. By March 31, 2025, most payments had already been disbursed. New monthly payments will begin in April 2025, and eligible beneficiaries will receive two notices by mail.
Conclusion
Those who are yet to receive the payments are urged by the SSA to be patient and wait until April is over before calling.
The retroactive payments represent long-awaited justice for millions of retirees, spouses, and survivors. The payment will be a big financial relief for beneficiaries.
If you believe that you are eligible but haven’t received the payment, keep an eye on your mailbox and your “my Social Security” account. You should also be patient and allow the SSA to work through the backlog because soon they will be sending updates along with back pay.