The Social Security Administration has set limits to the fee structure attorneys can use in their contracts of employment. With this, the fee charged by all attorneys is fairly standardized. Social Security will withhold 25% of the retroactive benefits and will forward that fee, less a handling fee, directly to the attorney. This payment is for the attorney's fee only, and does not include the reimbursement of costs incurred. This remains a matter between you and your attorney. In any case, regardless of the size of the retroactive benefits awarded, the fee may not exceed $6,000.