Social Security payment errors are a huge problem. While mistakes are expected in a massive bureaucracy, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has racked up a record backlog of improper payments.
The total is now over $1 billion and rising. These issues have been adding up for years now. While the financial cost of the errors primarily falls on those who were overpaid (or underpaid) by mistake, it also hurts Social Security as a whole.
The SSA has made efforts to solve this ongoing issue, but as of now, the problems still persist.
The Consequences of Social Security Payment Errors
Seniors who experience Social Security overpayments can suffer dearly because of it. Take this story of a widow — she was required to pay back money despite not knowing she was overpaid. As a result, she was facing financial ruin. Some seniors have even faced homelessness trying to repay money mistakenly sent to them.
The agency has made efforts to correct these problems. This man had his entire overpayment issue corrected. In addition, the SSA’s new commissioner capped benefit repayments at 10 percent. Seniors facing repayment demands can now feel a little more comfort in knowing their benefits won’t be lost completely.
Also, the SSA has proposed new policies to help prevent these issues from happening at all. Some say a new payroll reporting method could be the answer. Advocates of this policy claim it will help keep payment info accurate, thus making it easier to avoid errors.
What are your thoughts on Social Security payment errors? Have you been personally affected? We know this problem is one that needs more attention. Do the above solutions seem like the right answers? Share your opinion with us in the comments.
Help The Seniors Center Protect the Future of Social Security
The Seniors Center is committed to finding solutions to strengthen and protect the Social Security Trust Fund. Social Security is a contract between citizens and the government. Money deposited in the Trust Fund should only be used to pay benefits to eligible recipients.
The Seniors Center is demanding Congress finally put a stop to the careless borrowing and spending by greedy politicians that has put our Trust Fund and our secure retirement in jeopardy.
At The Seniors Center, our goal is to help seniors, and we’re doing that by protecting the future of Social Security. Retirees shouldn’t have to worry about losing their hard-earned benefits to taxes or the agendas of greedy politicians. If you agree, we invite you to sign our petition today! And follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook for more updates!
