Lost my Social Security Survivors benefits earnings report form - can I just write my income on paper instead?

You need to report your income change to Social Security, but you don't have to use their specific form. I've been through this exact situation with my mom's survivor benefits. You can write a letter with your name, SSN, current address, phone number, and clearly state your expected earnings for 2025. Be sure to sign and date it! Mail it certified so you have proof they received it. The form you're looking for is probably the SSA-131 (Annual Earnings Report) which isn't available online for some reason - one of the many frustrations with their system.

thats not the right form number. its actually called the Annual Earnings Estimate and I think the form number is SSA-7520. i get the same thing for my survivors benefits.

Update: I tried calling my local office even though I didn't want to, and surprise surprise, I couldn't get through to anyone. Just endless recordings and then a disconnect. This is so frustrating!

To give you completely accurate information: The form you're looking for is the SSA-7520 (Annual Earnings Estimate). While you CAN write your information on plain paper, I strongly recommend calling and requesting they mail you a new form. Here's why: 1) Using their official form ensures all required information is included, 2) It gets processed through their official channels without delays, and 3) You'll have documentation with their form number as proof you properly reported. With your earnings jumping by $13,000, you're definitely going to exceed the annual earnings limit if you're under FRA (full retirement age), which is $22,320 for 2025 for survivors benefits recipients who haven't reached FRA. For every $2 you earn above that limit, SSA will deduct $1 from your benefits. You want this adjustment to happen proactively rather than creating an overpayment situation.

just go to the office in person. bring id. they can give u the form right there. that's what I did when I lost mine.

The SSA is TRYING to trick you into not reporting so they can hit you with OVERPAYMENT later!!! They're FAMOUS for this!! They didn't send the form on purpose, I guarantee it. I got hit with a $7,800 overpayment because of this EXACT situation. Fight the system and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!! Send ANY correspondence via certified mail and KEEP THE RECEIPT!!!!

I had the same problem last year and I just called my local office. Took forever to get through but the lady I spoke with was actually really nice and just took my information over the phone. She said they could make the adjustment without the form. Might be worth trying?

I work with seniors on Social Security issues, and this is a common problem. The form is actually called the SSA-7520 (Annual Earnings Estimate). You have three good options: 1. Write a letter with your info (name, SSN, new expected earnings) and mail it certified 2. Call and request a new form (though wait times are terrible) 3. Visit your local field office to get the form in person Whichever method you choose, be sure to keep documentation. The earnings limit for survivors under FRA in 2025 is $22,320, so with earnings of $32,000, you'll be $9,680 over the limit. This means approximately $4,840 will be withheld from your annual benefits (or about $403/month if spread evenly). Include your contact information so they can reach you if they have questions about your report.

i tried that claimyr thing someone mentioned when i had a survivors benefits question last month and it actually worked. got through to ssa in like 20 mins instead of being on hold for hours. just saying it might save u a lot of time

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to try calling using that Claimyr service tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work I'll write everything on paper and send it certified mail. I'll make sure to include all my info - SSN, contact details, my expected earnings, and a clear explanation. I'll update if I run into any more issues. Really appreciate all the help!