Cement compositions comprising set retarder compositions, and methods of using the cement compositions in surface and subterranean applications are provided. In some embodiments, cement compositions are provided that comprise a hydraulic cement comprising an API cement, water, and a set retarder composition, the set retarder composition comprising an acrylamide polymer derivative; and an iron compound. In other embodiments, cement compositions, set retarder compositions, methods of cementing, methods of retarding the set time of a cement composition, and methods of preparing a cement composition are provided.