If your Social Security check isn’t as much as you thought it would be, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things. Many people are seeing unexpected reductions in their benefits right now, and it can be really frustrating, especially when every dollar counts.
Here’s a look at the most common reasons your benefits might be lower than expected—and more importantly, what you can do to fix it.
Medicare Premiums May Be Withheld
If you’re enrolled in Medicare, your Part B or Part D premiums may be automatically deducted from your Social Security payment. This is supposed to simplify things by preventing you from getting an extra bill, but it can shrink your check without much warning.
If you’re losing more than you expected to Medicare costs, it might be time to review your current plan. There are thousands of Medicare plans available, and comparing your options could help you find better coverage at a lower cost.
Some Debts Can Be Garnished
Social Security benefits are protected from private debt collectors, but that protection doesn’t extend to debts owed to the government. If you owe back taxes, federal student loans, unpaid child support, or alimony, those payments can be garnished from your check.
The IRS and most federal agencies can take up to 15% of your monthly benefits. For child support and alimony, it can be as high as 65%, depending on your circumstances. If your check is unexpectedly small, it’s worth checking your mail and reviewing your statements to see if a garnishment is in place.
Overpayment Recovery Happens Often
Social Security sometimes decides that they paid you too much in the past, and when that happens, they’ll start taking money out of your future checks to recover the overpayment—even if it wasn’t your fault.
Overpayments are especially common with disability or SSI benefits, especially if your health improves, your income changes, or you forget to report something. If you receive a notice of overpayment, you can request a waiver using Form SSA-632-BK. This can be a good option if repaying would cause you financial hardship or if the mistake wasn’t yours.
SSI Rules Can Trigger Reductions
If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your benefits are subject to extra rules that can reduce your check.
One common reason for this is the in-kind support and maintenance rule. If someone else helps you with rent, utilities, or other living expenses—and you’re not contributing your fair share—Social Security might count that assistance as income. That can lead to a lower benefit amount. This rule is currently under review, and future changes could help ease that burden for many.
Working Can Reduce Benefits (Temporarily)
If you start claiming Social Security before reaching your full retirement age and continue to work, your benefits may be reduced due to the earnings limit. The Social Security Administration withholds a portion of your benefit if your income exceeds that limit, but only until you reach full retirement age. After that, your payments are no longer reduced for working, and your benefits may even be recalculated based on your continued earnings.
High Income Can Raise Your Medicare Costs
If you had a high income two years ago, you may be paying higher Medicare premiums due to income-related adjustments, also known as IRMAA. These surcharges can significantly reduce your check.
The good news is that you can ask for a reduction if you’ve had a life-changing event such as retirement, divorce, or the death of a spouse. To do this, use Form SSA-44 to request a lower premium based on your current income.
Mistakes and Errors Do Happen
Social Security is a huge system, and mistakes are more common than most people realize. A handwritten form could be entered incorrectly, or your file might be updated with the wrong details.
Always review your award letters and benefit statements. If something doesn’t look right, log into your My Social Security account or visit your local SSA office to get it corrected.
Your Benefits Might Be Taxed
Federal taxes can be withheld from your benefits if your total income goes over a certain threshold. Some states also tax Social Security, which can further reduce your monthly payment.
You can choose whether or not to have federal taxes withheld from your check, so it’s worth reviewing your withholdings to make sure they match your current income needs.
What You Can Do
If your Social Security check is lower than it should be, start by reviewing your original award letter and recent statements. Log into your My Social Security account to check for deductions or updates.
If you’re being garnished or asked to repay an overpayment, you may be able to appeal, request a waiver, or set up a more manageable repayment plan. And if your Medicare premiums are higher than expected, it could help to review your options and request adjustments if your income has changed.
Relief Recap
A smaller-than-expected Social Security check can be a big shock, especially when you’re counting on that income. But there are ways to investigate and address most of these issues—whether it’s checking for garnishments, challenging an overpayment, or lowering your Medicare premiums. Understanding what’s causing the reduction is the first step toward fixing it.
If you need help with your Social Security benefits, we’ve got tons of resources to walk you through it. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
