Social Security WEP overcharge and missing delayed retirement credits - who regulates SSA local offices?

You need to contact the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Social Security Administration. They're responsible for investigating issues like this where offices aren't following proper procedures. Visit https://oig.ssa.gov/ to file a complaint. Also, the maximum WEP reduction for 2025 is definitely capped - they cannot exceed that amount. And your delayed retirement credits (DRCs) of 8% per year beyond FRA should absolutely be calculated into your benefit. Request a detailed Benefits Calculation (PEBES) in writing.

Thank you! I'll contact the OIG immediately. Do you know if they actually investigate individual cases or just look for patterns of problems? And yes, I've requested the PEBES calculation twice but they keep saying it's \

just went thru smthing similar with my husbands benifits... try contacting ur US SENATOR (not state rep). senate offices have caseworkers specifically for SS issues and they can put pressure on SSA that state reps cant

This is excellent advice. Congressional inquiries, especially from Senate offices, get immediate attention from dedicated SSA staff who handle these cases. They often resolve issues within days that have been pending for months.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation. I went through something similar last year with WEP calculations being wrong. After months of getting nowhere, I tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual SSA agent who could help. They got me past the endless hold times and transfers. The agent I finally spoke with initiated a benefit recalculation that fixed my WEP issue. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puUAfter that, I asked for everything in writing and kept detailed records of who I spoke with. It still took follow-up, but having that direct access to someone who could actually help made all the difference.

Never heard of that service before. Does it actually work? I've been on hold with SSA for 3+ hours multiple times and then get disconnected... starting to think they do it on purpose!

Yes, it worked for me - got through in about 20 minutes instead of hours. But regardless of how you get through, make sure you ask for a supervisor and get the name and direct number of whoever helps you. Documentation is crucial with SSA.

The WEP is THEFT!!!! I worked 2 jobs for 37 YEARS and paid into BOTH systems and then they STEAL my hard-earned money because of this ridiculous penalty!!! Total government robbery!!!

While WEP can certainly feel unfair, it's important to understand it's not technically a penalty but an adjustment to prevent

Call it whatever fancy name you want, it's STILL taking money from people who WORKED FOR IT. And now they're taking even MORE than their own rules allow?? Just proves my point!

You need to request a formal benefit reconsideration (Form SSA-561-U2) specifically for both issues - the WEP calculation and the missing DRCs. State clearly that you believe they've exceeded the statutory maximum WEP reduction and failed to apply your 24% in delayed retirement credits (8% × 3 years beyond FRA).A few important technical points:1. The WEP reduction is specifically capped at 50% of your non-covered pension amount, and there's an absolute maximum dollar amount ($795 in 2025).2. Ask specifically for your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) calculation worksheet.3. Your DRCs should increase your benefit by 24% if you delayed from 66 to 69.If your reconsideration is denied, immediately request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This escalates it beyond your local office's authority.

This is incredibly helpful - thank you! I did file form SSA-561-U2 about 5 months ago but never received any response. Should I file another one or would that just complicate things? And should I explicitly mention that I want to escalate to an ALJ if they deny it again?

After 5 months, you should actually follow up on your original reconsideration rather than filing a new one. Call the SSA and ask specifically for the status of your reconsideration filing. Get a reference number and the name of who you speak with. If they can't give you a status, you can escalate by writing to your Regional Commissioner (next level above local office). And yes, explicitly state in any communication that you intend to request an ALJ hearing if denied.

Just to add to what others have said, I went through something similar with my husband's WEP calculation. We finally got it resolved by requesting an in-person appointment specifically with the Technical Expert at our local office, not just any claims representative. Technical Experts have more advanced training on complex cases like WEP+DRC combinations.Also, print out and bring SSA's own policy documents on WEP maximum reductions (found in their Program Operations Manual System - POMS). When we showed the actual policy documents, they suddenly \

That's a great tip about asking for the Technical Expert specifically! Do you happen to know which POMS section covers the WEP maximum? I want to be fully prepared next time I go in.

Yes! Look for POMS section RS 00605.360 for WEP computation limitations. You can find it by searching on SSA's website. Also, for the delayed retirement credits, the section is RS 00615.690. Print these out and highlight the relevant parts. Knowledge is power when dealing with SSA!

my frend had this EXACT problm and it turned out they had put in WRONG info in computer. ask them to check if they have your corect date of birth and work history. They had my frend listed as retiring at 65 not 68!!

Have you tried contacting AARP? They sometimes help with SS issues like this and have experts who know who to contact.

I hadn't thought of AARP. That's a good suggestion - I'll reach out to them while pursuing these other avenues too. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get this resolved. Losing hundreds each month adds up fast.

One more thing that might help: Request your earnings record through your mySocialSecurity account online and verify every year of earnings is correct. Sometimes WEP is calculated incorrectly because they're missing years of substantial earnings that would reduce the WEP impact. If you worked 30+ years with substantial earnings under Social Security, your WEP reduction should be eliminated entirely. Make sure all your earnings history is properly recorded.

Excellent point about the 30-year rule for WEP elimination. However, it's specifically 30 years of \

I checked my earnings record and have 28 years of substantial earnings according to SSA's chart. So I should still get a reduced WEP penalty, not the full amount. I'll make sure to point this out too. Thank you both!