Social Security overpayments: Tips to prevent them

Why should it be our responsibility to find out that they messed up? If they gave out too much money so be it. We should not get punished for it.

When I made mistakes on my job, I had to accept accountability for it. Matter of fact, I was made to accept the responsibility. However, when a Social Security worker makes a mistake, the Government holds the recipients responsibility for their employees mistakes. How can that be fair?🎉

This happened to me. I get SSI, and notified them the minute I was told a family member had left me $6,000, which was a total surprise. They didn't even wait until the money got to me. It had to go through channels before it did. They punished me even though I had no idea this was coming, and didn't even have the money. I'm now having to pay them $10 per month until what they claim I was overpaid, is paid back! I now fully understand why people lie to them and get money under the table. They're nasty and negligent. They should be sued for the nightmares they are and cause.

The veterans administration does this as well. I'm a veterans service officer and I noticed lately that there have been a lot of collections of veterans or veterans widows for overpayments which were not the veterans fault.

Thanks for sharing this information. I had no idea we could be held responsible for an SSA error and they could forcibly collect it years later. I'm going to have to pay much closer attention to my account. This really seems unfair to make individuals pay for an administration error that we aren't even aware was an error. They should be held responsible for errors they make, not us!

What a nightmare. Why is there no law in place to make sure SSA does their job and remains their responsibility if they mess up? This insane! Great work, 60mins. I am on alert now.

Happening to me right now. My mom signed me up for SSI when I was 17, qualifying because I’m legally blind. Drew payments for less than a year, then took a crap summer job to help pay for college. Following year they cancelled my payments and said I owed them a few thousand. I let them know I had no means to pay. After a few back and forth, didn’t hear from them again. That was 1984. Fast forward to this year when I applied for SSDI because my disability had worsened such that I can’t work anymore. Now, they say I owe them $9k+ because they think they paid me thru 1996. 100% did not happen and I get assumed guilty and have to prove my innocence. Broken system.

Record your phone call with anybody you talk to from SSA. They will lie and say, " I never told them that". They are government workers after all.

It’s impossible to fight social security without lawyers. Out of no where you get big overpayment. I talk to experts telling most of time social security offices make the errors but you still have to payback overpayment regardless.

SS needs to be penalized

Social security is predatory towards seniors who have been paying for decades into their retirement. When its time to retire SS now says they overpay seniors whos been working for decades. despicable

I have the same problem, they even took my widows income. Now I live on $1,000. Per month, they refuse to fix it, I call and call no one help me I call senior help they couldn't do anything, I beg them to at lease take $100. a month they refuse to work with me, they don't care no one cares. 😢 I send the overpayment letter that didn't work.

Thank you Andy and Annabelle.....this is such important information.

Very good you guys did this as a public service

Most people may have to Lawyer up when going up against Social security ⚖️💸💶💯

This should not be happening with today's technology.

I think the main issue is that people can't tell if they are being overpaid. If the payments they received match the calculation that they received from social security administration, why should they question and challenge their payments?

I am a 72 year old woman. I have never gotten a cent from SSA despite needing it to live, because my ID was stolen years ago without my knowledge. As a result. I can't renew my drivers license, or even vote. I know exactly how SSA treats people. No compassion whatsoever, even if it is something beyond your control.

Congress needs to clean up this issue. if it's SSA fault, they can't punish the people for it.

One of the smartest things I've learned is not to ever rely on the government or count on social security being around for my generation when I retire. Whatever they give, they seem to just find a way to always take it back somehow and they don't care about anyone. One of the prevention tips should've been telling folks, especially the younger ones to focus on saving up for your own retirement because all that you've put into social security you likely won't get it back.