What is retroactive meaning?

Retroactive means having an effect or impact that occurs before the event itself. It is often used in legal or administrative contexts and refers to actions taken that have an impact on events that have already occurred. For example, retroactive tax laws may apply to past income or retroactive changes to a contract may affect previously agreed-upon terms. Retroactive actions can have both positive and negative consequences, depending on the circumstances and the intentions behind the action. In some cases, retroactive measures may be considered unfair or unjust, especially if they target a particular group or are applied inconsistently.