Social Security check decreased by $120 suddenly - who to contact about withholding issues?

This is definitely something you need to take up with SSA directly. Changes to withholding amounts on your Social Security benefits shouldn't happen unless you submitted a new W-4V form. Call the main SSA number at 1-800-772-1213 and explain what happened. They can verify if a withholding change was processed and help you correct it if it was done in error. Be prepared with your recent payment information so you can explain exactly what changed.

my check went down last month too!! thought i was going crazy til i called and they said something about the medicare premium went up. did u check that??

I had something similar happen to me about 3 months ago. It turned out that someone had accessed my MySocialSecurity account and changed my withholding preferences!! I didn't even know they could do that online. You should definitely check if someone got into your account. The SSA told me they can see login history and IP addresses, so they can tell if it wasn't you who made the change. But fair warning - it took me FOREVER to get through to someone who could actually help.

I've been helping SS beneficiaries with these issues for years, and this sounds like either: 1. An automated adjustment due to annual Medicare premium changes (happens in January) 2. A withholding change that either you requested and forgot about or that was processed in error 3. Possibly the result of a new garnishment order (child support, federal debt, etc.) First step is checking your SSA account for the exact reason for the change. Look in the "Message Center" and also check your benefit verification letter which will show current deductions. If it's a withholding change you didn't authorize, you need to speak with an agent at your local field office, not just the national number. The local offices often have better access to make immediate corrections.

If you're trying to reach the SSA by phone and getting disconnected, I highly recommend trying Claimyr. It's a service that will get you through to a Social Security agent without the wait. I was skeptical at first, but after trying for weeks to reach someone about a similar withholding issue, I used them and got through in minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU In my experience, withholding issues need to be handled by talking to an actual SSA representative, not through the website. Once I got through, they were able to correct my withholding and process a form to revert to my previous tax withholding preferences.

JUST A HEADS UP - the SSA can change your withholding if the IRS tells them to! This happened to my mother last year. She owed taxes and didn't know it, and suddenly her SS check went down by like $150. When she FINALLY got through to someone, they told her that the IRS had implemented a tax levy. So you might want to check if you have any outstanding tax issues too. Just another possibility to consider.

To answer your question about getting back money that was incorrectly withheld: Yes, but it depends on the circumstances. If this was an SSA error, they can issue a correction payment fairly quickly once you speak with them and they verify the mistake. If it was a withholding change that somehow got processed without your authorization, you'll still get that money back - but it might be when you file your taxes next year, not immediately through SSA. Tax withholding isn't lost money; it's just paid to the IRS/state earlier. One important question: Did you perhaps receive any mail from SSA in the past month or two that you might have overlooked? They're required to send notification of certain changes, but many people miss these notices.

i had a similar problem but mine was because they started taking out for medicare part D even tho i never signed up for it!!!! took me 3 months to get it fixed and get my money back. check ur medicare stuff too, not just the tax withholding. sometimes they enroll u in things without telling u properly!!!

One thing to know is that withholding changes can actually be made a few different ways: 1. You can submit a W-4V form by mail or at a local office 2. You can request the change through your MySocialSecurity account online 3. A legal garnishment order can be applied (tax levy, child support, etc.) 4. Medicare premium changes can affect your net payment If someone accessed your online account, definitely report that as potential identity theft. SSA can see the IP address of whoever made the change. If it was a simple mistake, they can usually fix it within one payment cycle. Please update us when you get this resolved! It would help others who might face the same issue.