I had a very similar experience about 6 months ago! I received two small deposits from SSA ($19 and $8) about a week apart while my spouse's survivor benefits application was still processing. Like you, I couldn't get through to anyone on the phone and there was no explanation in my online account. It turned out to be exactly what others have said - interest on delayed benefits. About 3 weeks after those deposits, we received the official approval letter and then the full retroactive payment hit our account. One thing that helped me was going to my local SSA office in person. I know it's not always convenient, but the staff there could actually look up my account immediately and explain what the deposits were for. They also gave me a printed statement showing the interest calculation, which was helpful for my records. If you can't make it to an office, definitely try the early morning calling strategy others mentioned. But honestly, based on your timeline and the amounts, this sounds like really good news - these interest payments usually come right before final approval!

I had almost the exact same experience! Got two mysterious deposits from SSA last month - $17 and $9 - while my retirement application was still pending (applied about 7 months ago). Like you, I tried calling multiple times but couldn't get through to anyone who could explain what they were for. After reading all these responses, I'm now convinced they were interest payments too! It's so frustrating that SSA doesn't send any kind of notification explaining these deposits when they happen. You'd think a simple automated message saying "Interest payment on delayed benefits" would save everyone a lot of confusion and phone calls. I'm going to try the local office visit approach that others mentioned - seems like that might be the most reliable way to get a clear explanation. Thanks for posting this question because I was starting to worry I'd have to pay the money back or something!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare with SSA - having $15K tied up for over 2 years is absolutely unacceptable! This thread has turned into an incredible resource with so many actionable strategies that regular SSA customer service apparently never mentions. Based on everyone's experiences here, I'd definitely start with filing that Inspector General complaint at oig.ssa.gov since multiple people have had quick success with that approach. The fact that you have written acknowledgment of the debt should make this a strong case. I'd also recommend hitting them from multiple angles simultaneously - congressional inquiries with both your senators (not just your House rep), requesting "critical payment" processing from a Technical Expert at your field office, and contacting your state's SSA liaison office if they have one. One thing that really stood out to me was the suggestion to be very specific about timelines and consequences when you escalate. Instead of just asking for help, demand resolution within 30 days or state that you'll pursue further legal action. After 23 months of polite patience, it's time to be firm and create urgency. The combination of Inspector General complaint + congressional pressure + specific payment processing requests should finally break through their bureaucratic delays. You've been more than patient enough - time to make some noise and get what you're legally owed! Please keep us updated on what works - this thread has become an invaluable guide for anyone dealing with similar SSA issues.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this incredibly frustrating situation! Reading through all the excellent advice shared here, it's clear you now have a comprehensive action plan that should finally get results after 23 months of bureaucratic runaround. Based on everyone's experiences, I'd definitely prioritize the Inspector General complaint at oig.ssa.gov since multiple people have had quick success with that approach. The fact that you have written acknowledgment of the $15K debt from SSA should make this a strong case for administrative misconduct. I'd also recommend implementing a multi-pronged strategy simultaneously: file congressional inquiries with both your senators (not just your House rep), contact your state's SSA liaison office, visit your field office early in the morning to specifically request "critical payment" processing from a Technical Expert, and consider the MIS review and expedited payment due to financial hardship options that others mentioned. One key insight from this thread is to stop being polite and start being firm with specific deadlines. After 2+ years of patient waiting, demand resolution within 30 days and state consequences if they continue to delay payment they openly acknowledge they owe you. The combination of Inspector General pressure + congressional inquiries + specialized SSA processing requests should create enough urgency to finally break through their system. You've been far too patient already - time to make some noise and get your $15K! Please keep us updated on which strategies work best. This thread has become an invaluable resource for others facing similar SSA payment delays.

One more thing to consider - regardless of the earnings test, there's no financial advantage to waiting past your FRA unless you want to earn delayed retirement credits (8% per year until age 70). Since you're retiring anyway, if you're at FRA, you might as well start benefits in May because: 1. You'll get an extra month of benefits compared to starting in June 2. The earnings test won't impact you once you reach FRA 3. There's no advantage to waiting unless you're specifically trying to maximize your benefit by waiting until 70 You can apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to begin, so you could actually submit your application now and specify May as your start month.

Here's what the SSA website says exactly about the earnings test in the year you reach FRA: "In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit, but we only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age." So just to be 100% clear - they only count earnings BEFORE the month you reach FRA. If you reach FRA in May, they only count January through April earnings. May earnings don't count AT ALL, even if your birthday is May 31st. This is one of the few Social Security rules that actually works in our favor!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately joining the growing group of people dealing with Medicare Part B deduction issues! I'm 74, still working part-time as a financial advisor with comprehensive health coverage through my firm, and I explicitly declined Part B when I applied for Social Security benefits six months ago. Despite having my decline paperwork properly submitted and acknowledged by SSA, they've been deducting $174.70 every single month. What's absolutely maddening is the completely inconsistent explanations I get from different reps - I've been told it's a "billing system lag," then a "Medicare enrollment database error," then that my employer's insurance verification wasn't processed, and yesterday someone claimed there was a "periodic system reconciliation delay." Each person I speak with acts like this is the first time they've ever encountered this problem! Reading through all these experiences here has been both validating and horrifying. It's crystal clear this is a widespread systematic breakdown between SSA and Medicare systems, not isolated errors. The fact that so many people have identical situations - proper decline documentation on file but ongoing deductions anyway - shows their internal processes are fundamentally flawed. I'm going to implement every strategy shared in this thread: contacting the Medicare Premium Payment department specifically, asking for tier 2 specialists with cross-system access, calling that Medicare Coordination of Benefits Contractor at 1-855-798-2627, and definitely using Claimyr to bypass those soul-crushing hold times. Starting my detailed tracking spreadsheet today with every interaction documented. Six months of wrongful deductions ($1,048.20) is serious money, especially for retirees on fixed incomes. Thank you all for sharing these hard-earned solutions - this community wisdom is invaluable for fighting this bureaucratic nightmare!

I'm also new to this community but unfortunately dealing with the exact same Medicare Part B deduction nightmare! I'm 66, still working full-time as a nurse practitioner with excellent health coverage through my hospital, and I specifically declined Part B when I enrolled in Social Security three months ago. Yet they've been deducting $174.70 every month despite having all my decline paperwork properly filed and confirmed. The runaround I'm getting is infuriating - each rep gives me a completely different story: "computer update glitch," then "Medicare coordination delay," then "employer verification pending," and most recently "system integration error." It's like they're just pulling excuses out of thin air rather than actually understanding what's wrong! Reading through all these experiences has been both eye-opening and validating. When this many people have identical problems - proper decline documentation but ongoing deductions anyway - it's clearly a massive systematic failure between their databases, not individual mistakes. Three months of wrongful deductions ($524.10) might not sound like much to them, but it's real money to me! I'm definitely going to try every strategy mentioned here: asking specifically for the Medicare Premium Payment department, requesting tier 2 specialists, calling that Medicare Coordination of Benefits Contractor number at 1-855-798-2627, and using Claimyr to avoid those endless hold times. Starting my documentation log today with dates, names, and reference numbers for every interaction. Thank you everyone for sharing these real-world solutions and experiences. This thread has given me more actionable advice than months of frustrating SSA calls! I'll report back on what works.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my support for your situation. As someone who's also dealing with SSA benefits for a family member, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have funds sitting there while facing such urgent financial needs. Reading through all the incredible advice everyone has shared here really demonstrates the value of this community. The comprehensive strategies people have outlined - from the SSA-555 form process to strategic spending from dedicated accounts to local emergency assistance programs - give you so many different angles to approach this crisis from. I'm particularly hopeful about your emergency rental assistance appointment tomorrow. The fact that you've already made such progress in just a short time shows incredible determination and follow-through. Having multiple approaches working simultaneously (school documentation, caseworker outreach, strategic purchases for your daughter) seems like a much stronger position than relying on just one solution. Your persistence in advocating for your family is truly inspiring. I hope the rental assistance provides some immediate relief while you work through the longer SSA processes. Please keep us updated on how everything goes - your experience is helping other families like mine understand what resources are available in these challenging situations. Wishing you and your daughter stability and success as you navigate this difficult time!

That's such wonderful news about the emergency rental assistance approval! I'm so relieved to hear that the immediate eviction pressure is off - that must feel like such a huge weight lifted from your shoulders. It's great that having a disabled child moved your application to priority status, and the connection to utility assistance is an added bonus. Your multi-pronged approach is really paying off. Between the emergency rental funding, the $800 in strategic spending you've identified for your daughter's legitimate needs, and the potential emergency funds from her caseworker, it sounds like you're building a solid bridge to financial stability while working within all the system requirements. As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how your situation has evolved from crisis to manageable action plan in just a few days. The collective knowledge and support here has been incredible to witness. Your experience is definitely going to help other families who find themselves in similar situations - knowing that these resources exist and how to access them is so valuable. Keep us posted on how the SSA-555 form process goes with all your documentation. You've shown that persistence and exploring multiple avenues really does work, even in these complex benefit systems. Your daughter is so fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate fighting for her stability and wellbeing!