SS benefits over earnings limit for 2025 - will they suspend my checks after notification?

Calm down!! This happens ALL THE TIME. SSA isn't going to come after you with torches and pitchforks lol. Think about it - they're behind on everything else, so they're definitely behind on income reporting too. Just keep trying to be honest with them about it which is more than most people do.

When you exceed the earnings limit, SSA will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. For 2025, the earnings limit for people under FRA is $23,400, so if you're $5,800 over, they'll reduce your annual benefits by $2,900 (or about $241/month). They generally don't stop payments completely unless your earnings are so high that they would eliminate your entire benefit. They'll eventually adjust your benefit amount once they receive your earnings information, but it's good you're trying to be proactive. You should continue trying to report this change to avoid a potential overpayment notice later. You can also try faxing the information to your local office with your SSN and a clear explanation.

The earnings limit is indeed $23,400 for 2025 for individuals younger than full retirement age. And yes, it's different for disability benefits. I was in this exact situation last year. When I finally reached SSA (took me almost two weeks of calling), they were very understanding. They calculated how much my monthly benefit needed to be reduced for the remainder of the year based on my projected earnings. Since you're only $5,800 over, they'll reduce your monthly benefit by approximately $241, as the previous poster mentioned. They won't stop your payments completely unless your excess earnings would wipe out your entire annual benefit. Make sure you keep documentation of all your attempts to contact them. That way, if there's an overpayment issue later, you can show you tried to report promptly.

Trying to reach SSA by phone is nearly impossible these days! I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to a real person at SSA when I had an earnings limit issue last month. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when it's your turn. Saved me hours of waiting. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I finally got through, the agent adjusted my benefit amount for the rest of the year. They didn't make me pay back what I'd already received, just reduced future payments. The agent told me they prefer when people report proactively like you're trying to do!

my mom had this happen and they just started taking a little out of each check until it was paid back... no big drama like evryone thinks

I WENT THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE LAST YEAR!!! They ended up sending me an overpayment notice SIX MONTHS after I tried to report my increased earnings. Then they wanted ALL THE MONEY BACK AT ONCE! I had to negotiate a payment plan which took another 3 months and 20+ phone calls. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! Document EVERYTHING - dates you called, messages you sent, who you talked to. You'll need it when they inevitably screw something up. Take screenshots of your MySSA messages too before they mysteriously disappear (happened to me).

I'm having a similar problem but with disability not retirement. I thought I was under the SGA amount but my boss gave me extra hours and now I'm panicking too!!! Does anyone know if SSDI has the same $1 reduction for every $2 over? Or is that just for retirement? I'm so confused about all this and can't get anyone on the phone either.

Update for everyone following this thread: The 2025 earnings limit is officially $23,400 for those under full retirement age. For those reaching FRA in 2025, the limit is $62,160 for months before reaching FRA. There's no limit once you reach full retirement age. For the original poster, after SSA processes your report, they'll determine if they need to adjust your benefits retroactively (potentially creating an overpayment) or if they can just adjust future payments. This largely depends on how much of the year has passed and how much you've already received. If you continue having trouble reaching them, you might want to try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM or near the end of the month when call volumes tend to be slightly lower.

My neighbor says theres a special form you can mail in for earnings limit reporting. Cant remember what its called but maybe someone here knows??

good luck getting anyone on the phone these days... i just go to the office in person even tho its a pain