Social Security first payment only 1/3 of expected amount - February start date issue
Just got my first Social Security retirement payment and I'm completely confused. My benefit amount is supposed to be $2,248 monthly (according to my award letter), but I only received $749 yesterday! I started my benefits with February as my first month, filed online back in December, and got the approval in January. Everything seemed fine until I checked my bank account. Has anyone else had their first payment come in WAY lower than it should be? I tried calling SSA but got disconnected twice after waiting almost an hour each time. Getting worried that something's seriously wrong with my claim...
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Amara Chukwu
This is actually normal! Your first payment is often prorated based on when your application was processed relative to your payment date. Social Security payments are made in the month following the month for which they are due. So your February payment comes in March, but if your application wasn't fully processed until partway through February, you might only get a partial payment for your first month. Your next payment in April (for March benefits) should be the full amount.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Oh wow, thank you! That makes sense, but they never explained that anywhere. So I should expect my full $2,248 next month? I was really panicking when I saw that amount!
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Giovanni Conti
Had the exact same thing happen to me when I started getting my benefits last year! First check was way off, thought they messed up my earnings record or something. Don't worry, next month will be normal.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•That's such a relief to hear someone else went through this too! Did you ever get an explanation from SSA about why they do it that way?
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Giovanni Conti
•nope, just figured it out when the full amount showed up next month. ssa doesnt explain half the stuff they do lol
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
It's probably because of the day of the month your entitlement began. SS calculates benefits on a daily rate, so if your benefit start date wasn't the 1st of February, you're only getting payment for the days you were entitled in February. This is very common with first payments. Also, make sure you're accounting for any Medicare premiums being deducted if you're enrolled. The standard Part B premium is $174.70 in 2025, and that comes out of your SS payment automatically if you're enrolled.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•I think you're right about the partial month. I did file to start in February, but maybe they count it from my birthday which is Feb 18th? And good point about Medicare - I did enroll in Parts A & B, so that would reduce it too. Thank you!
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•Yes, if your birthday is the 18th and that's when you became eligible, they'd only pay for February 18-28, which is 11 days or about 39% of the month. That would explain why you got roughly a third of your expected payment. Next month should be the full amount minus your Medicare premium.
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NeonNova
This happened to me too!!! I was PANICKING when I saw how small my first check was. Called and called and couldn't get through to anyone. Ended up going to my local office and waiting 3 hours just to be told it's normal. Why don't they TELL people this will happen?? Could have saved me so much stress!
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Dylan Campbell
•Try using Claimyr next time you need to reach SSA by phone - it gets you through the phone tree and connects you to a live agent in minutes instead of hours. I used it to check my application status last month and it saved me so much time. Their site is claimyr.com and you can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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Sofia Hernandez
You should double check if you're getting any deductions like Medicare premiums or tax withholding. Also, if you're still working and under your Full Retirement Age, you might be subject to the earnings test which could reduce your benefit. The 2025 earnings limit is $22,320 if you're under FRA and they can withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Thanks for that info! I am fully retired now and I've reached my FRA (I'm 67), so I don't think the earnings test applies to me. I do have Medicare, but even with that premium it wouldn't reduce it by that much. After reading other comments, I think it must be because I'm only getting a partial month payment.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
U need 2 go to the SSA office in person!!! They do this 2 everyone and hope u dont notice. My brother got shorted $900 and had to FIGHT to get his money. Bring ur award letter and DEMAND ur full payment!!!
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•This is actually incorrect information. The Social Security Administration doesn't intentionally underpay beneficiaries. First payments are often prorated based on the start date of benefits or when the application was processed. It's a normal part of how benefits are calculated, not an attempt to shortchange anyone.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•WRONG! My brother HAD to go in person to fix it. They ADMITTED they made a mistake on his claim! Don't tell people not to check their payments!
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•I didn't say not to check payments - always verify your benefits are correct. But your brother's individual case doesn't mean the SSA is systematically underpaying everyone. In the OP's situation, the partial payment is likely due to proration, which is standard procedure.
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Amara Chukwu
Just to clarify for everyone - your Social Security payment cycle is based on: 1. When you became entitled to benefits (often tied to birth date) 2. Whether your application was fully processed before the payment cycle ran SSA pays benefits in the month AFTER they're due. So February benefits come in March. If you became entitled on February 18th, you'd only get a partial payment for your first month. Your April payment (for March benefits) should be the full amount. If it's not, then definitely contact SSA to investigate.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Thank you for explaining this so clearly! This makes perfect sense now. I'll watch for my next payment and make sure it's the full amount (minus Medicare). Really appreciate everyone's help - was having a mild panic attack when I saw that deposit amount.
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