Let’s take a brief look at some of the biggest changes to Social Security that we’ve seen so far in 2025.
The Department Of Government Efficiency Social Security Changes
DOGE has made many administrative changes to Social Security and have, subsequently, reversed some of those administrative changes. For the record, only Congress can change your benefit amount. Currently there is still much confusion regarding filing for Social Security benefits and having to go to a Social Security office. Starting on April 14, 2025, the new policies went into effect and here is what you need to know.
- If you are currently receiving benefits, you do not need to do anything
- If you can file for benefits using the Social Security website (ssa.gov) under the “my Social Security” tab, you do not need to make an office visit. You will do everything online.
The only people at this time that need to make a visit to their Social Security office are those people that cannot use the Social Security website and are:
- Filing for a new retirement claim, or
- Changing their direct deposit information
You can start the above two procedures with a phone call, but you will later need to visit your local Social Security office.
People applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income can continue to apply over the telephone if they cannot use the online “my Social Security” account.
Social Security Fairness Act
Employees of a governmental unit such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, etc., that had another job that paid into Social Security will receive a retroactive benefit check in an amount dated back to January 2024.
This is due to the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset under the Social Security Fairness Act. Social Security has processed 81% of these retroactive checks but still have about 1 million people to process. If you have not received your check yet, contact Social Security starting in May.
Alert: If you are or were a government employee only and did not pay into Social Security and were not eligible for spousal or ex-spousal benefits due to the GPO reduction, you need to contact Social Security ASAP. You now may be eligible to receive this benefit, and Social Security has no way of knowing this as you are not in the Social Security system.
Social Security Overpayment Letters
Now that the 2024 income tax returns have been filed, and you are receiving Social Security benefits, are under your full retirement age and have wages or self-employment income in excess of $22,320 for 2024, you will receive an overpayment letter requesting you pay back 50% of the retirement benefits received in excess of $22,320.
This is now more critical because excess benefits paid after March 27, 2025, will need to be paid back using 100% of your monthly benefit check as opposed to a portion of the monthly Social Security benefit check. For 2025, the earnings limitation increases to $23,400.
Social Security Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Letters
Social Security IRMAA letters are coming out. This adjustment amount to your Social Security benefit represents an increase in your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, which reduces your monthly benefit. It’s based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income reported on your personal income tax return (IRS Form 1040) from two years prior, 2023. The greater your income, the more you pay. The increase for singles starts at MAGI of $106,000 and for married filing jointly at $212,000. This affects about 7% of people. This is a yearly calculation based on your tax return filed two years prior. If you qualify in one year that does not necessarily mean that you will qualify for other years.
Remember, if you take the wrong Social Security benefit at the wrong time, it’s always smaller and forever.
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