I'm glad to see others reporting this same issue! I received an unexpected second payment of $1,456 on February 16th (my regular payment comes on the 2nd Wednesday). Like others mentioned, it shows up as "SSA TREAS" in my bank account. I was really worried I'd done something wrong or that my account got hacked somehow. Reading through all these comments makes me feel much better that it's a known system error. I'm definitely going to report it tomorrow - better safe than sorry. Has anyone heard if SSA is planning to send out any official notifications about this error to affected beneficiaries?

I'm a new member here and just wanted to say thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences with this duplicate payment issue! I received an unexpected second payment of $1,289 on February 17th (my regular payment date is the 4th Wednesday) and I was completely panicked thinking there was some kind of fraud or mistake on my account. Reading through all these comments has been so reassuring - it's clearly a widespread system error affecting many beneficiaries. I'm definitely going to call SSA tomorrow to report it and get it documented in my account. It sounds like the key is reporting it quickly to avoid any potential penalties later, even though it was their mistake. Has anyone who reported it early heard back from SSA about when they expect to reverse these payments?

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Started collecting in August 2024 and my 2023 earnings ($92,000 - also my highest year) weren't included in my initial calculation. I called twice and got completely different explanations each time. The first rep told me it would automatically update "eventually" and the second one said I needed to wait for the next AERO cycle. After reading all these responses, I'm realizing I've been way too passive about this. I'm going to call tomorrow morning and use the specific language everyone mentioned - asking for a manual recalculation since my 2023 earnings are posted but weren't included in my computation years. One question though - has anyone had success getting this fixed through their local SSA office instead of the 1-800 number? I'm wondering if going in person might be more effective, especially if I bring my W-2 and benefit letter with me. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice here. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding that this isn't normal and I don't have to just accept waiting until next year!

I went through this exact situation last year and it's definitely worth fighting for! My 2022 earnings were significantly higher than my previous years, but they weren't included in my initial benefit calculation when I started collecting in June 2023. The key thing I learned is that you need to be very specific about what you're requesting. Don't just say your benefit seems wrong - tell them exactly: "I need a manual recalculation because my 2023 earnings of $87,500 are correctly posted to my earnings record but were not included in my initial benefit computation." Also, ask them to show you your "computation years" - the 35 highest earning years they used to calculate your benefit. If 2023 isn't listed despite being your highest year, that's proof they need to fix it. When I finally got through to the right person (ask for the Technical Expert unit that handles computations), they were able to do the manual recalculation immediately. My benefit went up $156/month and I got backpay to my start date. With your $87,500 being your highest year, you're likely looking at a significant increase. Don't wait until March 2025 - this is their error and they can fix it now. Be persistent and use the specific terminology others have mentioned here. Good luck!

I'm currently in a similar situation - turning 62 in a few months and receiving CIC benefits for my disabled daughter. After reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to start the application process NOW. One thing I learned from my caseworker that might help others: if you're worried about the income drop from CIC to reduced spousal benefits, ask SSA about any state supplemental programs in your area. Some states have additional support for families caring for disabled children that can help bridge the gap. Also, definitely keep detailed records of all your communications with SSA - dates, names, reference numbers. I've had to reference these multiple times when there were processing delays or conflicting information between representatives. The system is frustrating but being organized and persistent helps. Good luck to everyone navigating these transitions!

I just wanted to add one more important consideration that might help with your decision-making process. Since you mentioned your son has special needs and you're concerned about the income reduction, you might want to look into whether you qualify for any caregiver tax credits or deductions that could help offset the lower benefit amount. The Child and Dependent Care Credit can sometimes apply to older children with disabilities, and there may be other tax advantages for families caring for special needs dependents. Also, when you do speak with SSA, ask specifically about the "protective filing date" - this establishes your intent to file even if you haven't completed all the paperwork yet, which can be crucial for ensuring you don't lose any back payments if there are processing delays. I learned this the hard way when helping my elderly mother with her benefits. The system has so many nuances that aren't obvious, but knowing about them can save you money and stress in the long run.

I'm new to this community but wanted to add something I learned when my elderly neighbor went through a similar situation. In addition to all the great advice about protecting Social Security benefits, your dad should also be aware that some creditors will try scare tactics like calling multiple times a day or sending threatening letters to pressure seniors into paying from their protected income. He has rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) - he can demand they only contact him in writing, and he can dispute the debt if there are any inaccuracies. Also, if this goes to court, many courts have "senior dockets" or expedited hearings for people over 65 to reduce stress. The most important thing is that your dad shouldn't feel ashamed - co-signing for family is something many loving parents do, and he couldn't have predicted your brother would completely abandon his responsibility. Focus on the practical steps everyone mentioned, and remember that there are legal protections specifically designed for people in his exact situation.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some perspective as someone who works with seniors facing similar situations. Your dad's Social Security benefits are indeed protected from garnishment for private debts like this promissory note, but I want to emphasize something crucial that others have touched on - time is really important here. The sooner he takes protective steps with his banking, the better. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your dad should also check if the promissory note has any specific language about what happens in case of default. Sometimes these documents include clauses about payment acceleration, additional fees, or even personal property as collateral. Understanding exactly what he signed can help determine negotiation leverage. Also, since this involves family and the emotional toll is so high, I'd suggest your dad consider reaching out to a senior counseling service or support group. The financial stress is one thing, but the betrayal by his son adds another layer of trauma that shouldn't be ignored. Many Area Agencies on Aging offer both legal resources AND emotional support services specifically for seniors dealing with family financial conflicts. The community here has given excellent practical advice - definitely prioritize protecting that bank account and documenting everything. Your dad sounds like he has a caring advocate in you, which makes all the difference in situations like this.

I went through something similar last year when I delayed my benefits for 8 months past FRA. The benefit verification letter only showed my base FRA amount, but when my first payment came through, it included all the delayed retirement credits correctly calculated. One thing that helped put my mind at ease was logging into my Social Security account and checking the "View Estimated Benefits" section - sometimes that shows a more accurate picture than the verification letter. Also, if you have your award letter from when you were approved in August, that should show the correct monthly amount including DRCs. The good news is that even if there is an error, Social Security is required to pay any back benefits owed once it's corrected. But based on my experience and what others have shared here, you'll likely see the right amount in October. Good luck!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! I delayed my benefits for 5 months past my FRA and my benefit verification letter also only shows the base amount without the delayed retirement credits. Reading through all these responses has been really reassuring - it sounds like this is totally normal and the actual payment should include the correct amount with DRCs. I'm also scheduled to get my first payment in October, so I guess we'll both find out together! The explanation about the verification letter showing just the PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) makes a lot of sense. It's frustrating that their online system doesn't give us the full picture, but at least now I know not to panic about it. Thanks for posting this question - you probably helped a lot of people who are in the same boat!