[BipolarBob]

So is the SS payments for my turtle in danger?

[Ann Archy]

Sounds OK to me!!

[LouAvul]

From another thread on the subject: A Social Security overpayment occurs when a beneficiary receives more money than they are entitled to, usually due to not reporting changes in their income, marital status, or living situation to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in a timely manner.

The "usually due to" clause is key.

[plain talk]

“Later, the agency announced that enrollees would no longer be allowed to change their direct deposit information over the phone but would instead be required to use an online process with two-factor authentication or visit a Social Security office in person. The measure is meant to prevent some types of fraud.”

I just got a ID.me account which is a means of authentication to social security and other .gov sites. I had dreaded it but was surprised at how well the process worked to upload your drivers license and take a selfie on your mobile phone. Well done.

[thinkthenpost]

I believe there should be an income test to determine what degree the beneficiary relies on Social Security for their day to day expenses.
Those that do not have alternate sources of monies coming in and the government is responsible for the over payments not the retiree it is my opinion the amount to be recovered should not exceed 50% of the payment.
If the government screwed up I would certainly hope the first action is to ensure that Social Security stops screwing up people's payouts.
Claw backs are fine, but since Social Security was supposed to be Beans and rice meals, and to keep the roof over your head, rather than your entire pension and retirement income for those that it is all they have or all they get you simply can't take food out of their mouths.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
Finally, if the over payment is due to some kind of fraud or claims the payee is not entitled to I believe that prosecution should definitely be on the table.

[butlerweave]

If you want Social Security you have to put some effort into it

[VeniVidiVici]

They realized thieves are getting SS recipient account info and are using the automated SS system to change direct deposit information into their own account

[linMcHlp]

bttt

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Clawbacks should only be occurring when the recipient is proven to have committed deliberate fraud. If Social Security (or the recipient) made a mistake, then they should just issue the correct amount going forward.

Some retirees only have the SS check, and clawbacks would make them destitute, IMO.

[linMcHlp]

Social Security payments are in two categories:

- old age (retirement) approx. 86% of total payments
- not old age (welfare, injuries, disabilities, unemployables) approx. 14% of total payments

Old Age (retirement) payments are calculated by the gov’t and due, respecting basic info: age, retirement status, what you put into the system (social security taxes).

Not-OA payments are calculated by the gov’t based upon a variety of info that can be a complex mess accumulated from a variety of inputs.

The latter, Not-OA situation, is where there usually exists room for errors.

[linMcHlp]

You can - in person - request that online access to your Social Security Account (SSA), be disabled.

Thereby removing an avenue of online hijacking of your SSA, made by hackers who have acquired your SSA number.

[californian by choice]

I have a sneaking suspicion that I shouldn’t worry about that.

[P.O.E.]

My SS got screwed up during Covid - wasn’t able to get anyone on the phone for months. Endless rounds of filling out forms, responding to requests, etc. Eventually got settled, but I have two big boxes of paperwork of all the back-and-forths.

[ridesthemiles]

When I MOVED-—I changed BANKS & THEY HELPED ME CHANGE MY DEPOSITS FROM SOC SEC.

IS THIS CANCELLING THE ABILITY OF BANKS TO DO SUCH???

IF I AM OPENING A NEW BANK ACCOUNT & I HAVE TO PROPERLY PROVIDE ALL THE ID THEY REQUIRE (PATRIOT ACT) -—Then THAT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT.

DOING SUCH A CHANGE ON A COMPUTER ONLY & NOT IN PERSON DOES NOT LOWER FRAUD, IMO.

[SERE_DOC]

"finance.yahoo.com ..."

Not really a source to be trusted or follow.
they may have some functional info that appears correct, but everything is suspect.

[TianaHighrider]

I know ow several elderly people who are unable to use a computer. It is also practically impossible to get into a social Security office since they decided to make the internet their main business interface.

Either the physical offices need to be staffed with more access. Or there should be a way to verify and take care of concerns by phone or home appointment.