Unexpected $132 Social Security payment arrived early - should I be concerned?

That's probably your Medicare Part B premium reimbursement. Did you have Medicare premiums deducted from another source before switching to SS deductions? When they change how your premiums are paid, they sometimes send these adjustment payments. Check if the amount matches what you paid in premiums recently.

don't worry its normal! ss does weird random payments sometimes. i got a check for $86 two weeks b4 my first payment started. the field office told me later it was an adjustment for something but i forget what exactly. as long as your regular payment comes on time next month your fine

This is likely an auxiliary payment or adjustment. Social Security makes these types of payments for various reasons: 1. Partial month benefits (if your entitlement date wasn't the 1st of a month) 2. Medicare premium adjustments (as someone mentioned) 3. One-time payment corrections 4. Retroactive adjustments for delayed Medicare enrollment The fact that it's exactly $132.00 suggests it's some type of standardized adjustment rather than a calculation error. Your regular payment schedule should still begin as stated in your award letter. I recommend checking your MySocialSecurity account - sometimes these adjustments are explained in your payment history section with a payment description code.

Social Security ALWAYS does this!!! They never explain anything properly and expect us to just figure it out ourselves. I got THREE different amounts deposited when I started my benefits last year and spent HOURS trying to get someone to explain it. The payment system is a MESS and they don't even tell their own employees how it works half the time!!!

Update: I tried calling SSA again this morning but couldn't get through after being on hold for over an hour. I'm worried this might be an overpayment that I'll have to pay back later, or that something is wrong with our application. Should I just wait for our regular payment in February or is there a way to actually reach someone who can explain this random $132?

I've worked with SSA benefits for many years, and this sounds like what's called a Medicare IRMAA refund. If you were paying your Medicare premiums directly before starting Social Security, and you had an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharge based on your income from 2 years ago, sometimes they issue a partial refund when recalculating how your premiums will be handled going forward. $132 is approximately 75% of a standard premium, which aligns with a potential adjustment. Your regular benefits should still begin in February as scheduled. I wouldn't worry unless your February payment doesn't arrive or is incorrect.

My 2 cents - deposit the money and spend it on something nice for yourself!! If SS made a mistake, that's on them, not you. I had this happen and ignored it (different amount though, like $287) and nothing bad ever happened. They never asked for it back. Treat yourself to dinner! lol

Final update: I finally got through to SSA! The $132 payment WAS related to Medicare premium adjustments. They explained that since we'll be transitioning from direct Medicare premium payments to having them deducted from our Social Security benefits, this was a partial refund for premiums we'd already paid that will now be handled differently. The representative confirmed our regular benefits will begin as scheduled in February. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!