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Social Security 1099 issued for benefit payment I returned after husband's death - how to correct?
I'm dealing with a confusing tax situation after my husband's passing. My husband received his Social Security retirement payment via direct deposit, but he passed away just 15 days after that deposit hit our account. The SSA required me to return that month's payment (which makes sense), so I sent them a check for the full amount ($2,178) back in June 2024. Problem is, I just received a 1099-SSA form showing that amount as income we received! I shouldn't have to pay taxes on money we returned, right? Has anyone dealt with this situation before? Do I need to request a corrected 1099, or is there some special way to report this on our tax return? I'm already stressed enough with handling everything else after losing him.
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Is Social Security still sending February benefit payments after government shutdown threat?
Has anyone received their February Social Security payment yet? My mother (76) is panicking because she heard on some news channel that SS benefits might stop due to the recent government shutdown threat. She got her January payment (around $2,450) on schedule, but now she's convinced February payments are being reduced or stopped completely. I've tried telling her this is probably just a rumor, but she won't listen to me. She's already cutting back on groceries and her medication because she's afraid of running out of money. I need some real examples to calm her down. Has anyone already received their February payment? Was it the full amount? On schedule? Any information would be SO helpful right now.
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To clarify some misinformation in this thread: Social Security payments are protected during government shutdowns because: 1. SS benefits are mandatory spending authorized by permanent law 2. The program has its own dedicated funding source (FICA taxes) 3. The Social Security Trust Fund is separate from general federal revenue During a shutdown, while some SSA services might be limited (like processing new applications or answering general questions), payments to current beneficiaries continue without interruption. Your mother's February payment will arrive on her regular payment date based on her birth date or when she first started receiving benefits. The payment will be her full benefit amount plus the 2025 COLA increase that went into effect in January. If she's concerned about her benefits, she should create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov where she can view her payment schedule and benefit amounts directly.
Thank you for breaking this down so clearly. I think a lot of the confusion came from news coverage that didn't distinguish between discretionary and mandatory spending. This is really reassuring.
My friend couldn't get ahold of SSA for TWO WEEKS when she needed to check on her missing January payment!!! They finally figured out it was some bank routing issue but she was almost EVICTED waiting for it to get fixed!!!
This is unfortunately common right now. SSA offices are understaffed and their phone systems are overwhelmed. For urgent payment issues like potential eviction, she should have contacted her local Congressional representative's office. They have liaison channels to SSA and can expedite emergency cases. Worth remembering for anyone facing critical benefits delays.
Just turning 70 and never compared Social Security earnings to IRS records - what steps do I take now?
Feeling a bit panicked as I approach my 70th birthday in March 2026. I know I need to file for Social Security benefits soon (no way around it at 70), but I've realized I NEVER compared my annual Social Security earnings records with my tax returns over my 45+ working years. I've heard you're supposed to do this regularly to catch any reporting errors, but honestly, I just trusted everything was correct. Now I'm worried there might be missing earnings or mistakes that could reduce my monthly benefit amount. Is it too late to fix any discrepancies? What documentation would I need to gather? Has anyone dealt with this situation before applying for retirement benefits?
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Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm feeling much more confident now. Here's my plan based on everyone's advice: 1. Check my detailed earnings record on mySocialSecurity 2. Request IRS transcripts for any questionable years 3. Start my application process now since I'm turning 70 soon 4. Mention my concerns about the earnings record when I apply 5. Focus only on correcting years that would be in my top 35 I'll report back once I've gone through the earnings history. Fingers crossed there aren't any major issues!
That sounds like a perfect plan! One more tip: When you look at your earnings record on mySocialSecurity, there's a way to download the entire history as a PDF. Do that and take your time reviewing it. Sometimes seeing it all in one document makes it easier to spot unusual patterns or missing years. Good luck!
Good luck! And don't forget to decide about Medicare too if you haven't already! That's a whole other thing to worry about lol
Oh thanks for the reminder! I'm already on Medicare since I signed up at 65, but I should check if there's anything that needs updating when I start receiving Social Security.
When does Social Security earnings limit apply if husband retires mid-year after making $50k?
My husband is planning to retire next year (2025) a few years before his FRA. He'll work January through May and expects to earn about $50,000 before he stops working. I'm confused about how the annual earnings test works in this situation. Does the earnings limit only apply to what he makes after he starts collecting benefits in June? Or does Social Security count all his income from the entire year, including the $50k he'll make before retiring? We're trying to avoid any benefit reduction if possible. Will the monthly earnings test help us in this case since it's his first year claiming?
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I think its dumb that they even have a limit. We paid into this our whole lives and then they dont let us work?? Makes no sense!!
It does seem counterproductive. They want seniors to stay active but then penalize us if we work too much before FRA. At least the limit goes away completely once you reach full retirement age.
Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information! I've taken notes on everything: - We'll use the monthly earnings test for 2025 - Request this specifically when applying - His $50k from Jan-May won't count as long as he stays under the monthly limit after starting benefits - Make sure he doesn't exceed the monthly limit even once or they'll switch to annual test - Keep documentation of his retirement This is such a relief - we were worried we'd lose thousands in benefits. I'll update after we apply to let everyone know how it goes!
Smart planning! One more tip: when your husband applies, get the name and direct extension of the claims representative who handles his application. This makes follow-up much easier if there are any issues with how the monthly earnings test is applied.
Should I claim reduced SS at 62 while husband on SSDI - questions about survivor benefits at FRA
Need advice on my Social Security strategy! My husband (59) has been receiving SSDI ($2,850) since 2020 after his accident. I had to quit my job in 2021 at 55 to care for him full-time, which wasn't in our retirement plans. My FRA benefit would be around $1,875, but I'm considering taking it early at 62 (reduced to about $1,320). My thinking is I could invest this money now to help build our savings since I had to stop working 10 years earlier than planned. I understand that when he passes away, I should be able to switch to survivor benefits based on his current SSDI amount when I reach my FRA. Health insurance isn't a concern as we're covered through his former employer's disability plan. Am I understanding the survivor benefit rules correctly? Would this approach make sense given our situation? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something important!
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wait i just realized my situation isnt the same as yours cause my wife gets SSI not SSDI sorry bout that! but i still think taking it early makes sense with what ur saying
Just to clarify for anyone reading this thread: SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) have different rules regarding survivor benefits. SSI is needs-based and doesn't generate survivor benefits, while SSDI is based on work credits and does provide survivor benefits. This is why it's so important to understand which benefit type you're dealing with when making these decisions.
My friend said she called and the SS people told her she should ALWAYS wait until FRA if possible. Are you SURE this is the right move?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer with Social Security. While waiting until FRA maximizes that particular benefit, personal circumstances matter enormously. In the original poster's case, with a spouse on SSDI, limited working years, and the option to switch to survivor benefits later, taking reduced benefits at 62 may align with their specific financial situation and goals. This is why personalized analysis is so important rather than general rules of thumb.
Miguel Diaz
wait i just remembered something. my brother also had to deal with this with his wifes check. he said if u cant get a fixed 1099 in time for taxes theres a line on form 1040 somewhere to put "repaid social security benefits" or something. maybe someone who knows more can explain better. but there IS a way to fix it on tax forms if SS is being slow about sending new 1099
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Zainab Ahmed
Your brother is partially correct. If the benefits were received and repaid in the same year (as in OP's case), the corrected 1099 is the proper solution. If benefits were repaid in a different year than received, then you'd use the line 7 on Schedule A for "Repayment of income reported in an earlier year" if over $3,000, or as a miscellaneous itemized deduction subject to the 2% floor if under $3,000. But since OP's situation is same-year, a corrected 1099 is the right approach.
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Dmitry Smirnov
Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! I'm going to try calling the SSA tomorrow morning as soon as they open to request a corrected 1099-SSA. I've gathered all my documentation - the original deposit receipt, bank statement showing the repayment check cleared, and the letter I received from SSA acknowledging the repayment. If I can't get through by phone, I'll try making an appointment at my local office. And I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if I keep having trouble reaching someone. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. It helps to know I'm not alone in dealing with this confusing situation.
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