How COLA Is Calculated
The SSA bases COLA increases on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), focusing on third-quarter figures from July through September. Benefits are adjusted each year to help offset rising costs for essentials such as housing, food, and healthcare.
Why Your Social Security Check Might Be Smaller
Some beneficiaries have noticed reduced monthly payments in recent months. In many cases, the reason is repayment of Social Security overpayments.
Overpayment Recovery Rules
Beginning in late July 2025, the SSA implemented a policy to withhold 50% of monthly benefits from recipients who owe overpayments and have not arranged a repayment plan.
Overpayments can occur for various reasons, including income reporting errors or administrative mistakes — even when the beneficiary is not at fault.
According to records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the SSA attempted to recover overpayments from approximately 2 million people during the fiscal year ending September 2023.
Key Overpayment Timeline
- Overpayment notices issued: Starting April 25, 2025
- Withholding began: Approximately July 24, 2025 (about 90 days after notice)
Repayment Options
Beneficiaries have several ways to repay overpayments:
- Online bill pay
- Credit card payments
- Check or money order
Requesting a Waiver
You may ask the SSA to waive repayment if:
- The overpayment was not your fault
- You cannot afford to repay the amount
- Repayment would be unfair or cause hardship
This article is way too lengthy for most of us to grasp meaning of. Why confuse us? Be more simple.
I am retired while they retired me and I should be on disability because I have cancer have a lot of things around me I only get 1400 a month you know I always getting a hold of money you know I need help too yes I am 72 years old and I have nothing
I hate to mention race into my comments but as a Black retirie, I haven’t seen a dime added to my Social Security check and the Social Security Administration is Taking so much out of my check every month for a repayment they say I owe. So what you are stating about extra money added to our Social Security retirement is only for white people who get retirement. I waited until I was 66 and file for my retirement and I thought I had done it the right way so I can get my supplemental pay out. I served in the military, I worked most of my life just to denied the rightful payment I deserved.