Social Security recalculation after paybacks due to excess earnings - FRA confusion

This happens SO often with SSA! Their phone reps often don't understand the more technical aspects of benefit recalculations. You're actually right on both counts. When you repay benefits due to excess earnings, those months technically become "unelected" months, which should move your effective filing age later. And yes, those higher earning years should replace lower ones in your 35-year calculation. But here's the catch - the system doesn't always do this automatically! You need to specifically REQUEST a benefit recalculation (what they call a recomputation) after you file your taxes each year. Did you specifically ask for that?

my neighbor had this EXACT same problem last yr!! the 1st line phone ppl at SS dont know nothin about the complicated stuff. he had to talk to a supervisor to get it fixed

The process you're describing involves two separate recalculations: 1) Automatic Earnings Recomputation (AER) - This happens automatically when SSA receives your W-2s showing higher earnings that could replace lower years in your 35-year calculation. 2) Adjustment of Reduction Factor (ARF) - This is what happens when benefits withheld due to excess earnings effectively move your start date forward. Here's where things get tricky - the AER happens automatically, but sometimes with a significant lag. The ARF often requires you to specifically request it. Also, the benefit increase from these might be smaller than you expect depending on your specific earnings history and how much you paid back. I recommend requesting an appointment with a Technical Expert at your local office rather than calling the general number. They have the specialized knowledge to handle this. Bring your W-2s from those higher earning years and any documentation showing the benefit repayments.

ugh the same thing happened to me and it was a NIGHTMARE getting someone at SSA who actually understood what I was talking about! I kept getting transferred around to different people who each told me something different. One person actually told me that earning over the limit "just means you pay the money back, there's no benefit recalculation" which I knew was completely wrong!!

This might seem off-topic, but have any of you been able to get through to SSA on the phone recently without waiting forever? I need to ask about something similar and the last time I called I waited over 2 hours and then got disconnected!

Just to add some technical clarity here: 1. When you have benefits withheld due to excess earnings, after you reach FRA, SSA should automatically adjust your reduction factor (ARF). This effectively gives you credit for the months you didn't receive benefits, moving your effective filing date forward and increasing your monthly amount. 2. For the earnings recomputation (AER), this does happen automatically, but often with a significant delay - sometimes up to a year after you file your taxes. 3. The issue is that many SSA employees primarily deal with initial claims and common issues, not these specialized recalculations. I recommend writing a formal letter to SSA requesting both recalculations specifically. Include your earnings records and documentation of benefits withheld. Send it certified mail to your local office, addressed to "Technical Expert - Recalculations." This creates a paper trail and ensures your request gets to the right department.

Be careful! A friend of mine went through trying to get her benefits recalculated and they actually found an ERROR in her original calculation and DECREASED her benefits and made her pay back money!! I'm not saying don't pursue it but just be aware they might find other issues too.

UPDATE: I just checked with a relative who works for SSA (not giving advice in official capacity). They said the most effective approach is to: 1. Request an appointment specifically with a Technical Expert or Claims Specialist 2. Use the specific terms "ARF recalculation due to work deductions" and "earnings recomputation for post-entitlement work" 3. Bring your W-2s and proof of benefit repayments They also mentioned that for the ARF adjustment, you don't have to wait until FRA - it can be processed earlier, but the increase won't be applied until you reach FRA. For the earnings recomputation, that can be processed and applied immediately if those earnings years would increase your benefit.

u should just go to ur local office instead of callin.. my dad always says u get better service in person than on the phone with gov stuff

I went through something very similar a few years ago! You're absolutely right that both types of recalculations should happen - the earnings recomputation for your higher earning years AND the adjustment of reduction factor for the months you repaid. The frustrating part is that SSA's phone system seems to route these calls to general customer service reps who honestly don't understand the technical stuff. Here's what worked for me: I had to be very persistent and specifically ask to speak with a "Technical Expert" or "Claims Specialist" who handles post-entitlement work adjustments. Don't let them transfer you to just anyone - insist on someone who specifically deals with ARF and earnings recomputations. Also, when you call, use the exact terminology: "I need an ARF recalculation due to work deductions" and "I need an earnings recomputation for post-entitlement earnings." This helps ensure you get routed to the right person. One more tip - if you can, try to get an in-person appointment at your local office. In my experience, the local office staff are generally more knowledgeable about these complex situations than the national call center. Good luck!