Unexpected Social Security deposit not showing in my SSA account - should I be concerned?

Thanks for sharing that! I'm not on Medicare yet, so it's probably not that. I didn't realize the online system could lag behind by that much. I'll definitely keep the money untouched until I figure this out.

Oh wow, I hadn't even considered that possibility! Thanks for the warning. I haven't received any calls about it yet, but I'll be on guard.

This is accurate advice. The SSA will NEVER ask for gift cards as repayment for anything. If there was an overpayment, they would send an official letter and provide several legitimate repayment options including check, money order, or in some cases, payment plans through benefit withholding. Always verify by calling the official SSA number directly (1-800-772-1213).

Number 3 is really concerning. I've been trying to call but can't get through - either busy signals or 2+ hour hold times. Is there any way to check if someone has filed for benefits in my name?

Unfortunately, the only way to verify is by speaking directly with an SSA agent. Your online account wouldn't necessarily show benefits that were fraudulently initiated, especially if a separate direct deposit account was set up initially and then changed. You need to keep calling until you get through.

That's interesting - I wasn't aware they did automatic payments like that. I'll keep an eye on my mail, but I'm still going to try reaching them by phone just to be safe.

I'm waiting because my FRA is 67 and I want to maximize my monthly amount. I'm still working full-time anyway, so I'd lose some benefits to the earnings test if I filed now.

The original poster is making a smart financial decision. Filing at 63 vs waiting until Full Retirement Age (67 for someone in their position) would mean approximately a 25% permanent reduction in monthly benefits. For many people still working, waiting until at least FRA is mathematically advantageous, especially considering the earnings test would reduce benefits while working. This isn't leaving money on the table - it's optimizing lifetime benefits.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've never heard of this service but at this point I'm desperate to talk to someone at SSA. I'll check out that video right now.

does this really work? hate waiting on hold all day

No recent deaths in the family, thankfully. I finally got through to SSA this morning after using the Claimyr service another commenter suggested. Turns out my employer reported incorrect earnings for me last year, and this was a retroactive adjustment based on corrected W2 information for my special payments that aren't subject to the earnings test. The representative said the online account should update within a week. What a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!

That's fantastic news! I'm so glad you got it resolved and it turned out to be legitimate. The W2 correction scenario makes perfect sense - employers do sometimes file amended wage reports that can trigger these retroactive adjustments. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - it'll definitely help others who might face similar situations in the future!

This is such a great outcome and really educational for all of us! I had no idea that W2 corrections could trigger automatic SSA adjustments like this. It's also good to know that the Claimyr service actually works - I've been skeptical of third-party calling services but it sounds like it really helped you cut through the usual SSA phone maze. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with the resolution!

I completely agree! This thread has been incredibly educational. What strikes me most is how many different possibilities there were for an unexpected SSA deposit - from retroactive adjustments to identity theft concerns to survivor benefits. It really shows the importance of not jumping to conclusions and getting official verification. The collaborative troubleshooting here is exactly what makes this community so valuable. And huge kudos to Giovanni for following through with the update - knowing it was a legitimate W2-related adjustment gives everyone peace of mind and valuable knowledge for future reference!

I'm new to this community and this thread has been absolutely eye-opening! Reading about all the different scenarios that could lead to unexpected SSA deposits really highlights how complex the system can be. The collaborative problem-solving here is amazing - from identifying potential scams to sharing practical resources like the Claimyr service. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion for future reference. It's such a relief that Giovanni's situation turned out well, and the W2 correction explanation will definitely help others who might face similar mysterious deposits. Thanks everyone for creating such an informative and supportive discussion!

As a newcomer here, I'm amazed by how educational this entire thread has been! I had no clue that W2 corrections could automatically trigger SSA payments, or that there were so many different scenarios that could cause unexpected deposits. The community's response was incredible - covering everything from legitimate explanations to scam warnings to practical solutions. It really shows the value of approaching these situations systematically rather than panicking. I'm definitely going to remember the Claimyr service suggestion for future government agency calls. Thanks to everyone who shared their expertise, and Giovanni for the thorough update - this is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that makes this community so helpful!

As another newcomer, I couldn't agree more! This thread has been an incredible learning experience. What really stands out to me is how the community didn't just offer generic advice but shared specific, actionable insights based on real experiences. The range of possibilities Giovanni faced - from legitimate W2 corrections to potential identity theft - really shows how important it is to get proper verification rather than making assumptions. I'm particularly grateful for the scam awareness tips and the Claimyr service recommendation. It's wonderful that Giovanni took the time to update everyone with the resolution - knowing it was a legitimate adjustment gives everyone peace of mind and creates a valuable knowledge base for future reference. This is exactly the kind of collaborative problem-solving that makes online communities so powerful!