Social Security Sent Out Billions in Back Payments in March. Here's What You Need to Know

United States capitol in Washington DC with a Social Security card and money.

Back benefits began arriving in March for many of the 2.1 million retirees and 770,000 spouses and surviving spouses entitled to payments as a result of the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, the Social Security Administration announced. Increased monthly payments will start in April, reflecting higher March benefits.

As of March 4, the SSA has paid 1,127,723 people more than $7.5 billion in retroactive payments, according to a press release.