Based on all the responses here, I think we've established this is likely a display issue rather than an actual missed payment. However, it's still worth calling SSA to confirm. When you speak with them, ask them to explain their payment notation system and whether what you're seeing is normal for new beneficiaries. Also request that they verify your correct monthly payment date based on your birth date (as mentioned earlier, this follows a standard schedule). For future reference, you can always verify actual payments received by requesting a "Benefit Verification Letter" through your my Social Security account. This document serves as the official record of your benefit status and payments. Please let us know what you find out after speaking with them!

I work as a benefits counselor and see this exact issue frequently with new Social Security recipients. What you're experiencing is completely normal - it's called a "payment reconciliation entry" in SSA's system. When you first start receiving benefits, their computer system creates multiple tracking entries: one for the payment authorization, one for the actual disbursement, and sometimes a third for internal accounting purposes. The MySocialSecurity portal isn't great at distinguishing between these different types of entries, so it can look like you have multiple payments when you really don't. The key thing to remember is that Social Security retirement benefits are paid once per month, period. There's no scenario where you'd legitimately receive two payments in the same month unless there was a rare administrative correction or back payment situation. Your actual payment schedule going forward will be based on your birth date as others mentioned. The phantom entries typically stop appearing after your second or third month of benefits once the system stabilizes your account. I'd still recommend calling to get it officially documented in your file, but don't stress about missing money - it's just a display quirk in their aging computer system.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation! I'm about 14 months away from early retirement and experiencing the exact same type of discrepancy. My online MySocialSecurity account shows $2,180/month, but when I called SSA two weeks ago, the representative quoted me $1,995 - a $185 difference that's really affecting my planning decisions. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea this was such a widespread issue with SSA's different calculation systems. The explanations about the Master Beneficiary Record system versus the simplified online calculators really help explain what's happening. I'm particularly interested in the advice about requesting a benefit verification letter in writing. That seems like the most reliable way to get an official number to plan with rather than trying to guess which estimate is more accurate. One question for those who have been through this process - when you requested the written benefit verification letter, did you do it through your online MySocialSecurity account or by calling? And how long did it typically take to receive it? I want to get this sorted out well before I actually need to file. Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences. It's frustrating that we have to deal with this confusion, but it's helpful to know there are ways to get more definitive answers.

I'm experiencing the exact same frustrating situation! I'm about 8 months from my planned early retirement filing and discovered a $165 discrepancy between my MySocialSecurity online estimate ($1,790) and what a phone rep quoted me ($1,625). What's been particularly helpful reading through this thread is understanding that this isn't just a random error - it seems to be a systematic difference between SSA's online estimation tools and their more detailed phone-based calculation systems. The explanations about the Master Beneficiary Record system having access to real-time data while the online calculators use simplified assumptions really clarifies what's happening. I'm definitely going to request that benefit verification letter in writing that several people mentioned. It sounds like that's the most reliable way to get an official SSA document with the accurate calculation to base my retirement planning on. One additional tip I can share - I found that calling right at 8:00 AM when they open dramatically reduced my hold time. I was able to get through in about 15 minutes versus the 2+ hour waits I experienced calling later in the day. The early morning reps also seemed more willing to spend time explaining the calculation details. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. It's reassuring to know this is a common issue with known solutions, even though it's frustrating that we have to do so much detective work just to get accurate information about our own benefits!

As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted before, I had to jump in on this thread because it's been such an education! @Miguel Ramos, congratulations on getting your retroactive payment sorted out - your detailed timeline from filing to resolution is incredibly helpful for those of us still preparing to navigate this process. What really stands out to me is how this discussion has become a masterclass in the importance of documentation and persistence when dealing with government systems. The Medicare premium refund issue you experienced seems frustratingly common based on everyone's responses, but it's reassuring to see that it's definitely resolvable with the right approach. I'm especially grateful for all the specific tips shared here - from @Ethan Clark's 8 AM calling strategy to @QuantumQuasar's department-specific guidance. As a newcomer to both Social Security and Medicare, I'm bookmarking this entire thread as my go-to reference guide. The collective wisdom here about keeping detailed records, taking screenshots, and getting confirmation numbers is exactly the kind of practical advice you can't find in official publications. Thank you to everyone for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly impressed by the depth of knowledge and support shown in this thread! @Miguel Ramos, thank you for sharing such a detailed account of your experience - it's exactly the kind of real-world timeline that helps demystify what can seem like an overwhelming process. Your journey from the smooth initial filing to the Medicare premium complication really illustrates how important it is to stay vigilant even when things appear to be going perfectly. What strikes me most is how common this duplicate Medicare premium issue seems to be based on everyone's responses. It's frustrating that the systems don't communicate better, but it's reassuring to see that with proper documentation and persistence, these issues do get resolved. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips shared here - @Ethan Clark's 8 AM calling strategy, @QuantumQuasar's specific department guidance, and the various documentation strategies everyone has mentioned. As someone who's still preparing to navigate Social Security and Medicare for the first time, I'm already starting to organize my records and create that payment tracking spreadsheet several people have recommended. This thread has become an invaluable resource that I'll definitely reference when my time comes. Thank you to everyone for being so generous with sharing your experiences and advice!

I'm new to this community and currently going through this exact same situation! Filed my retirement application in early December for a March 1st benefit start date and it's been showing "processing" status with no updates. At 67, this should be straightforward since I'm past my FRA, but the waiting has been really anxiety-provoking when you're planning major life changes around these timelines. This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea that the 30-day processing time shown on SSA's website was so completely outdated. Reading everyone's real experiences here (ranging from 6-11 weeks) has helped set much more realistic expectations. I'm particularly grateful for the professional insight from @Felicity Bud about the systemic reasons behind these delays, and all the reassuring stories from people like @Sydney Torres and @Ayla Kumar who recently completed the process successfully despite the extended waits. The tip about the benefit estimate disappearing from your online account being a good sign rather than something to worry about is pure gold - I'll definitely keep that in mind if it happens to mine. I'm also following the advice to wait until closer to my benefit start date before trying to call, but it's good to know about the Claimyr service as a backup option. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences so openly - this community support makes the waiting period so much more manageable when you know you're not alone in this process!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience to hopefully help others going through this stressful waiting period. I filed my retirement application in late September 2024 for December benefits and went through this exact same anxiety-inducing process. My application took about 10 weeks total - the award letter finally arrived in early December, just a week before my first payment was scheduled. Like many others have mentioned, my online account showed "processing" the entire time with absolutely no status updates, which was incredibly frustrating. Around week 7, my benefit estimate also disappeared from my account, which initially panicked me but I later learned (through forums like this) was actually a sign of progress in final processing. What helped me cope during the wait was keeping a simple timeline document with my filing date, confirmation number, and key dates to watch for. I also made sure to check my mail very carefully since award letters can arrive in plain envelopes that don't look official. The good news is that despite the delayed paperwork, my first payment was deposited exactly on schedule in January. It seems like SSA really does prioritize getting payments out on time, even when the documentation is behind. For those still waiting - hang in there! The system is definitely slower than advertised, but based on everyone's experiences here, the benefits do come through eventually.

I'm currently going through a similar withdrawal process and this thread has been so helpful! I started benefits in September 2024 and submitted my Form 521 in November, but like you, I keep getting payments while they process everything. One thing I learned from calling multiple times - ask for a "case number" or "control number" when you speak with representatives. This helps track your withdrawal request through their system and makes follow-up calls much easier. The reps can pull up your case immediately instead of having to re-explain everything each time. Also, I've been keeping a detailed log of every payment I receive (including that unexpected January one you mentioned) with dates and amounts. My local SSA office told me this documentation will speed up the final repayment calculation when they're ready to close out the withdrawal. Good luck with the process - it sounds like we're both in for a fun tax season! At least we'll have those higher FRA benefits to look forward to next year.

I'm just starting to consider early retirement and had no idea about this withdrawal option! This whole thread is eye-opening. Can someone clarify - is the one-year withdrawal window from when you first apply for benefits or from when you receive your first payment? I'm trying to understand all my options before I make any decisions about when to start taking Social Security. Also, for those who've been through this process, would you still recommend doing the withdrawal despite all the paperwork headaches and tax form delays? It sounds incredibly stressful, but if the financial benefit is significant enough, maybe it's worth the hassle?