Strange $70 Social Security deposit in my account - what's this mystery payment?

probably a cola adjustment or somethin. just spend it lol they never ask for money back. ss gave me wrong amount 4 years once and let me keep it

This happened to ME last month!!! I got a random $85 deposit and was TERRIFIED it was some kind of mistake and they'd take my whole check back!!! I spent TWO DAYS trying to get through to someone at Social Security. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally found out it was an adjustment due to an earnings recalculation from 2023. They apparently reviewed my husband's work record and found he was entitled to slightly more. Do you have online accounts set up? You might see a notice there explaining it.

It's likely one of three things: 1. A retroactive COLA adjustment 2. A correction to previous underpayment 3. A recalculation based on earnings records The SSA occasionally performs audits and recalculations that result in small adjustments like this. I had a similar situation last year when they reviewed my husband's earnings from 2021 and found they had slightly undercalculated his PIA. We received a similar unexpected deposit followed by a letter explaining the adjustment about a week later. I'd recommend checking your mailbox carefully over the next week, as they typically send a letter explaining any adjustments. You can also call the SSA directly to inquire, though getting through can be challenging.

I've been dealing with Social Security for over a decade, and unexpected deposits like this usually have a logical explanation. It's most likely a retroactive adjustment of some kind. However, you absolutely should verify what it's for before spending it. The challenge is reaching someone at SSA these days. After struggling with constant busy signals and disconnections for weeks, I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a representative right away. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to resolve an issue with my wife's survivor benefits. Once you reach someone, ask them to check your payment history for any recent adjustments. Have them explain exactly what the $70 represents so you can be confident about whether it's truly yours to keep.

This is most likely a retroactive adjustment to your benefits. The timing is interesting because SSA just completed their annual earnings recalculations for many beneficiaries. Here are the most common reasons for small unexplained deposits: 1. Retroactive COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) correction 2. Recalculation based on additional earnings information 3. Correction of a prior underpayment 4. Adjustment due to changes in Medicare premiums Make sure to document this deposit. Even if no letter arrives explaining it, keep record of when it appeared and the exact description. If you're able to reach SSA, ask them to document in your file what the payment represents. I wouldn't worry too much - these small adjustments are quite common, especially in the first quarter of the year when various recalculations occur.

its probly that 1 time $70 covid payment they promised like 2 years ago lol better late than never right? social security is so slow

UPDATE: I finally got through to Social Security after trying all day! The $70 was indeed a retroactive adjustment. They explained that when my husband turned 66 last month (his FRA), they recalculated his benefit and found a small earnings record that hadn't been properly credited. The $70 represents the difference for February and March. A letter explaining this should arrive within 2 weeks. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!