Learn about Overpayments and Our Process
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 13, 2023
The Social Security Administration works to ensure that we pay the right person the right amount at the right time, and our payment accuracy rates are high. Given the magnitude of the benefits we pay each year—$1.4 trillion in benefits to more than 70 million people—and complexity of the programs we administer, overpayments can happen.
Social Security is required by law to adjust benefits or recover debts when people receive payments they weren’t entitled to. We take seriously our responsibilities to our customers and to taxpayers to safeguard the integrity of our benefit programs and be good stewards of the trust funds.
Overpayments can occur for many reasons, like when someone does not timely report work or other changes that can affect benefits or when an individual chooses to continue receiving payments during an appeal. Each person’s situation is unique, and we handle overpayments on a case-by-case basis.
Getting an overpayment notice may be unsettling or unclear, and we work with people to navigate the process. We inform people about the fact and amount of the overpayment, their right to appeal, and the options to repay or, in some cases, receive waivers for the debt.
People have the right to appeal the overpayment decision or the amount. They can also ask Social Security to waive collection of the overpayment, if they believe it was not their fault and can’t afford to pay it back. We examine every waiver request to determine if the person caused the debt and their ability to repay. If we can’t waive the debt, we have flexible repayment options—including repayment of as low as $10 per month.
Social Security is working to prevent overpayments and make the process easier.
For more information about the overpayment process, please see our Overpayments Fact Sheet.
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Starfaced
Please note…..for users to come to this level, an online contact —only to have it said …contact the 800 number, visit local office….is insulting. This is a vehicle that could be used to solve long held problems to get them out the door.
Since 2018, I have had easily -solved problems. Pay interim amount, resolved in an instant. Citizens are paying for SS backlogs. Pay interim, resolve as you clear the logjam of your own making. Look at the replies, call a representative, visit local office, your issue too complex for this venue.
Caryl
I have had so-called overpayment for over 5 years. The unexplained amount would go down to $837, and kick back up to over $4K. SSA was taking out for Medicare, yet did not turn monthly amount over to Medicare. It was cancelled for non-payment. Repeated calls and letters, no resolution.
I get letters saying money will come, nothing comes, more calls, Administrative Law judge, nothing happens. SSA needs to take action on these cases, resolve the issues to remove the callbacks, fix it.
Cynthia
But YOU ASKED FOR EMAIL ADDRESS !!!!!! WHY ???? IF WE DONT GIVE OUR EMAIL, OUR COMMENTS WONT BE POSTED !!! THIS IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT SS !!!! SIME OF YOU DONT HAVE A CLUE WHATS BEING DONE TO US !!!!!
Yvonne B.
That’s bs
Because I been getting messed with for 5 years now about over payments and now there over payment on a overpayment that doesn’t ever make since to me and my money changes evey months
David B.
I just turned 65 in late August and last day worked was September 3, 2023. I received my last paycheck on September 11 and a final paycheck on September 25 which was for vacation time earned. Is this income considered to be earned in September or August? My first SS payment is scheduled in October. Do I need to report excessive earnings in September and if so who do I report it to. Will that affect future SS payments in 2023.
A.C.
Hi, David. Thanks for visiting our blog. If you retire mid-year, we count your earnings for the entire year. We have a special earnings test rule that we apply to annual earnings—usually the first year of retirement. For more information, visit our Special Earnings Limit Rule page. For additional questions, please contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Cynthia
That’s called “STEALING”!!! I HAVE BEEN PAYING BACK AN OVERPAYMENT (FOR 7 DAMN YEARS NOW!!!) AND THIS OVERPAYMENT WAS DEFINITELY NOT MY FAULT AND I BROUGHT PROOF TO MY SS OFFICE THREE (3) TIMES !!!! NO SUCCESS!
ITS VERY FRUSTRATION TO ATTEMPT TO WORK WITH SS SO I (FINALLY JUST GAVE UP!!!)CYNTHIA
Cynthia
Also, I brought PROOF OF MY EARNINGS MORE THAN ONCE BECAUSE SS DID NOT CUT MY EARNINGS WHEN I PROVED WHAT THE AMOUNT WAS TWICE !!!!!! NOW WHO IS PENALIZED? YES, I AM PENALIZED AND HAVE BEEN FOR 7 YEARS !!!!!!
Bill S.
I am 65 Years old and turn 66 in Jan 24
My FRA is 66 8 months
I Claimed Social Security Retirement at 62
I have been Overpaid $22,000 due to working
My Social Security Retirement Benefits have been Suspended for a Year
Do I have to payback the Overpayment before my benefits can Unsuspend/Resume ?
Can I Unsuspend / Resume Payments and they can take my check to pay the Overpayment ? HELP PLEASE
A.C.
Hi, Bill. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Cynthia
Read my comment above. SAME thing happened to me NOT through my fault. I’m still paying back !!! It’s been 7 years !!!!
William H.
I hope in the future SSA starts speeding up the overpayment process. It seems the SSA departments are not not communicating quick enough between each other. People cannot afford to live on a smaller income, with extreme high energy prices and inflation.
Mikel M.
I put in a “request for reconsideration” on a claim of overpayment on Jan 4th, 2023, and have never received an answer. Per the POMS, I had been underpaid and was actually due a year of nonpayment. Why does this take so long? Would I be better off to file the formal appeal, i.e., would it be faster?
A.C.
Hi, Mikel. We are sorry to hear about your situation. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office for assistance. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
Cynthia
Tried all that AND MORE !!!! NEVER WAS SUCCESSFUL !!! STILL PAYING BACK AFTER 7 YEARS !!!!!!
Mary H.
2014 – I had a mental breakdown because of stress, anxiety, toxic working conditions and favoritism. I was out for 8 month and given Depression medicine.
When I returned to work, conditions continued to deteriorate. Promises made were not kept.
2017 – I turned 65 that May. I tried as hard as I could to make it to 66, but just couldn’t do it. I met with HR and was told for the 1 year early, $300 would be deducted for the 1st year. To date, I’ve had over $20,000.00 taken away. I didn’t even consider disability retirement. I was afraid I’d be fired and thought I could handle -$300 for a year.
COVID increased prices for rent, food, cost of living. I no longer have a car because of gas prices.
I’ve tried calling endless times, but the automated system put me on hold for over an hour each time. I really need help to recoup my SS money I paid since I was 16. Since 2014, OCD, PTSD and Dyslexia have been added to my mental disorders. Please help me!
A.C.
Hi, Mary. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. You may also be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Cynthia
Good luck doing this. NEVER WORKED FOR ME !!!!!
Marie
Do those services from the state count as income for the example do payments from the state in the form of reimbursements and difficulty of care for disabled children placed in my care by the county under a Cadi waiver count as income for title II disability?
ALFREDO A.
I would like to know why my bebifit payment went down
A.C.
Hi, Alfredo. Thanks for visiting our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jennifer W.
I don’t understand why ss doesn’t train their employees better. There is no reason for all the over payments on survivor benefits. This just happened to me last week & when I saw the money was deposited into my bank account, I called my local office right away. I was on hold for half hour & than on the call for another half hour while the girl researched it. At the end of the call she told me that it was my money and I could spend it. Of course I didn’t believe her. So I check on there Web site today and it now states that it was a over payment. I went to my local office today to arrange payments. So what happens to all the employees who are making these mistakes?
Sarah
I want to know why the amount SSA wants me to pay back is more than the amount they say they overpaid me. Is SSA charging us interest for THEIR mistakes?!
A.C.
Hi, Sarah. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.