Social Security didn't recalculate my benefit after 2023 high earnings - wait until March 2025?

The rep is correct about the automatic recomputation schedule (March and October), but you shouldn't have to wait until next March. SSA performs an Automatic Earnings Reappraisal Operation (AERO) to recalculate benefits when new earnings might increase your benefit amount. Since your 2023 earnings were reported to SSA when your employer submitted your W-2, and you've already started collecting, you should have been included in the October recalculation. I would definitely call again and ask to speak with a Technical Expert who specializes in computations. Explain that you believe your 2023 earnings (which are your highest) weren't included in your initial computation and you were missed in the October AERO run.

I went thru this EXACT SAME THING last year!!! My 2022 earnings were my best year ever and should have bumped up my monthly check but they kept giving me the runaround about when they do recalculations. I called 8 TIMES and got 8 DIFFERENT ANSWERS!!! One person told me March, one said October, another said it was already done but didn't show in my payment yet. SO FRUSTRATING! I finally got through to someone who knew what they were talking about and they did a manual recalculation on the spot. My benefit went up $137/month!!! Don't wait - keep calling until you get someone who will actually help.

this happens alot. my brother had same issue. you need to ask specifically for "manual recomputation with 2023 earnings" dont let them give you runaround about waiting for computer to do it next year

I had to deal with getting my SS recalculated after reaching FRA last year and it was such a headache trying to get through to anyone who could help. After trying for weeks and getting disconnected multiple times, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real SSA agent in about 15 minutes. Just went to claimyr.com and they connected me directly instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me so much frustration! Once I got through to the right person, they were able to help with the recalculation.

I'm confused about something in your post. You said you started collecting in July 2025, but then mentioned March 2025 as a past date? Are these dates correct? It's only 2025 now.

There's an important distinction to understand here. When you first apply for retirement benefits, SSA includes earnings through the previous year in your initial benefit calculation, IF those earnings are already posted to your record. The AERO recalculations in March and October are for picking up earnings that weren't available during your initial calculation. If you applied for benefits in early 2024, it's possible your 2023 earnings weren't yet in the system (sometimes there's a lag in employer reporting). In that case, your benefit SHOULD be recalculated automatically when those earnings post to your record. You can verify if your 2023 earnings are showing correctly by checking your earnings record on my.ssa.gov. If they're showing correctly there but weren't included in your benefit calculation, definitely request a manual recalculation as others have suggested.

my cousin had this happen to him and they gave him backpay when they finally did the recalculation so even if you have to wait you should get the money you would have gotten if they had done it right the first time. but yeah call and be persistent.

One more thing to consider: make sure the 2023 earnings would actually increase your benefit. Social Security retirement benefits are based on your highest 35 years of earnings (adjusted for inflation). If 2023 was indeed your highest earning year, it would replace a lower earning year in your calculation. However, if you already have 35 years of relatively high earnings, the impact might be smaller than you expect. When you call, ask them to do a "What If" scenario calculation to show how much your benefit would increase with the 2023 earnings included. That way you'll know exactly what's at stake.

Just remembered another thing! When I finally got my recalculation done, they made me verify my identity again with all kinds of questions about my past addresses and loans and stuff. So be prepared for that when you call! And don't give up if the first person you talk to seems clueless - I swear half the people who work there don't know their own rules!!!