AMERICANS will see two major changes to their Social Security checks, just as millions receive their retroactive payments.
It comes as the Social Security Administration (SSA) get harsher with overpayments and identity verification.
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The US Sun recently reported on two major loophole provisions in the law that was keeping millions from receiving the Social Security credit they were owed.
These were the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.
Essentially, the Windfall provision impact pension recipients who also worked another job that was covered by Social Security.
The Government Pension Offset hit pension recipients who also qualify for spousal Social Security benefits.
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The US Sun shared the story of Ron, who could not collect his Social Security because of this very reason.
He said: “I’m just trynna make ends meet here, it’s been no picnic.
“There’s a whole bunch of us who have been retired all these years who got schooled by Social Security.”
TIMES CHANGE
But The Social Security Fairness Act, passed at the end of Joe Biden’s term, got rid of that.
Social Security recipients affected by the repeal of the WEP or GPO have also begun to see their monthly payments increase for the rest of the year.
No, roughly 3 million Americans are being paid the money they are owed, and it started this month.
The next lot of payments will be going out in May, and the three pay dates depend on when you were born.
Wednesday May 14 will be the day for those born between the 1st and the 10th.
May 21 is the day for those born between the 11th and the 20th.
And Wednesday May 28 is the day for those born between the 21st and 31st of the month.
CHANGE ONE
But The US Sun has warned recipients that two changes are coming that will impact how you get your checks.
The first change to keep an eye out for is how the SSA handles overpyaments.
The Trump administration has cracked down on this, and it could effect you going forward.
Overpayments can happen for many reasons, like if someone has a change in income situation or marital status and doesn’t alert the SSA.
HOW TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
Here’s how to supplement your Social Security:
Given the uncertainty surrounding Social Security’s long-term future, it’s essential for workers to consider ways to supplement their retirement income.
Senior Citizens League executive director, Shannon Benton recommends starting early with savings and investing in retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs.
- 401(k) Plans
- A 401(k) is a retirement account offered through employers, where contributions are tax-deferred.
- Many employers also match employee contributions, typically between 2% and 4% of salary, making it a valuable tool for building retirement savings.
- Maxing out your 401(k) contributions, especially if your employer offers a match, should be a priority.
- IRAs
- An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) offers another avenue for retirement savings.
- Unlike a 401(k), an IRA isn’t tied to your employer, giving you more flexibility in your investment choices.
- Contributions to traditional IRAs are tax-deductible, and the funds grow tax-free until they are withdrawn, at which point they are taxed as income.
Normally, the SSA can take overpayments out of future checks, and this was set at 10%.
Meaning if the SSA accidentally gave you too much, it would only take 10% of it back.
However, as of March 27, 2025, the SSA has returned to its 100% withholding rate.
It is thought that the change will see an increase of roughly $7 billion rise in overpayment recoveries across the next 10 years, according to estimates from the office of the chief actuary.
CHANGE TWO
The second change is the crackdown in identification verification.
From April 14, stricter procedures have been put in place to combat fraud.
Now, if a Social Security recipient cannot verify their identity online via the my Social Security account portal, they must file in person at the SSA office.
Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security, in an SSA blog post: “Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance.
“For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”
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