What is the Social Security Administration doing to recoup overpayments?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is withholding 50% of monthly checks to recoup past overpayments made to beneficiaries.

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Social Security Overpayments Prompt Benefit Cuts for Thousands

Q: How much in improper payments has the SSA made in recent years?

The SSA paid out nearly $72 billion in improper payments, mostly due to overpayments, during fiscal years 2015-2022.

Q: What can Social Security recipients do if they receive an overpayment notice?

Affected recipients have 90 days to request a reconsideration, waiver, or change in the repayment rate from the SSA.

30 Aug

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Summary

SSA to withhold 50% of monthly checks to recoup past overpayments
Overpayments occurred due to SSA miscalculations or beneficiary changes
SSA paid out $72 billion in improper payments from 2015-2022

Social Security Overpayments Prompt Benefit Cuts for Thousands

As of August 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is preparing to take action to recoup past overpayments made to beneficiaries. The agency announced in April 2025 that it would begin withholding 50% of monthly checks to recover these overpayments, which occurred due to SSA miscalculations or changes in beneficiary income.

The SSA issued overpayment notices on April 25, 2025, and started the withholding process around July 24, 2025, giving recipients about 90 days to request a reconsideration, waiver, or change in the repayment rate. This comes as the agency reported paying out nearly $72 billion in improper payments, mostly due to overpayments, between fiscal years 2015 and 2022.

While improper payments accounted for less than 1% of the $8.6 trillion in benefits paid during that period, the SSA still had $23 billion in uncollected overpayments as of September 2023. The agency is now taking steps to recoup these funds, which could significantly impact the monthly budgets of affected retirees and Social Security recipients.

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