How to check Medicare and tax withholding on my upcoming Social Security payments?

Yes, you can check your withholding elections through your mySocialSecurity account. Log in and look for the "Benefits & Payments" section. There should be a tab for "Withholding Preferences" or something similar where you can view your current elections for both federal tax withholding and Medicare premium deductions. If you're not seeing it, it might be because your benefit hasn't started processing yet.

I had this exact same panic last year! You can actually call SSA directly and ask them to verify your withholding preferences. I waited 3+ hours on hold though which was AWFUL. Eventually gave up and used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. The agent was able to tell me exactly what I had selected for tax withholding (I had done 15% not 10% like I thought!) and confirmed my Medicare Part B premium would be automatically deducted. Worth checking before your first payment so you don't get surprised!

another way to check is wait for your AWARD LETTER. it will have all deduction info right there!! my medicare part b was $189.60/month taken out automatically and i also had 10% tax withholding. the letter lists everything. but youll probably get that after your first payment

The most reliable way to check your withholding preferences is to contact SSA directly. While the mySocialSecurity portal is convenient for many things, withholding information sometimes doesn't display properly before your first payment processes. If you're concerned about your elections, call the main SSA number (1-800-772-1213) and request to speak with a representative. They can pull up your file and tell you exactly what withholding preferences you selected during your application process. Alternatively, you can visit your local SSA office in person with a photo ID. The advantage of speaking directly with someone is that you can also make changes to your withholding preferences if needed. Regarding Medicare premiums - if you're enrolled in Medicare Part B (and possibly D), these will be automatically deducted from your Social Security payment unless you've specifically requested direct billing for Medicare.

u know the SSA sends a letter in December showing all ur benefit info for the next year? it has the medicare amounts and everything. did u not get that? they mail it every December to everyone

I just went through this last month!!! When I called about something else, they told me I needed Form W-4V for tax withholding. If you didn't specifically fill out this form, you probably DON'T have any tax being withheld! The Medicare premium comes out automatically though so don't worry about that part. Good luck!

Just to clarify some confusion in this thread: If you completed your application online, you should have had the opportunity to select tax withholding during that process. The W-4V form is typically needed if you're changing your withholding after benefits have started or if you applied on paper/phone. For your Medicare premium, that's automatically deducted unless you specifically arranged otherwise. The standard Part B premium for 2025 is $187.50 for most beneficiaries (though it can be higher based on income from 2 years ago). Since you'll receive your first payment in February, I recommend calling SSA to verify both withholdings rather than waiting. Any changes you request now will be much easier to process than trying to adjust after payments have started.

After dealing with SS for 10+ years (parents, then myself), I've learned one thing - DON'T TRUST THE ONLINE ACCOUNT TO SHOW EVERYTHING! My dad's account never showed his Medicare deduction correctly. My account still shows weird info from 3 years ago. Just wait for your first payment and the paper statement that comes with it. That will show the exact breakdown.

just wanted to add that if you DIDNT choose tax withholding you can still add it anytime!! i didnt do it at first and had to pay big tax bill my first year. now i do the 10% withholding and its SO much better. you can change it online or send in the form

I work at a local SSA field office and can help clarify a few things! When you applied online, there should have been a screen asking about federal tax withholding - if you selected it, it would be in effect for your first payment. However, the mySocialSecurity portal often doesn't display withholding info until after your first payment processes, which is frustrating but normal. For Medicare Part B, if you're enrolled, it will definitely be deducted automatically from your Social Security payment. The 2025 standard premium is $187.50/month for most people. My recommendation: Call 1-800-772-1213 early in the morning (7-8 AM) for shorter wait times. The representative can immediately tell you your exact withholding elections and Medicare deduction amounts. Don't stress too much - even if you didn't set up tax withholding initially, you can add it anytime using Form W-4V or through your online account after your first payment.

I went through this exact same anxiety last year! Here's what I learned: your mySocialSecurity account won't show withholding details until after your first payment processes, which is super annoying when you're trying to plan ahead. I'd definitely recommend calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 early morning (like Kevin mentioned - that 7-8 AM window really works!). When I called, the agent could see all my elections immediately and confirmed I had selected 22% federal tax withholding during my online application, even though I couldn't see it anywhere in my account. One thing that might ease your mind: if you completed the online application and remember getting to a tax withholding screen, you probably did make a selection. The online system is pretty good about not letting you skip required sections. But calling will give you 100% certainty and peace of mind before February arrives!