Hi Larry.

If Social Security requests overpayment for me being over the earnings limit (early retirement taken) and I give them back payment in full, will they screw things up and start withhold some monthly payments, or continue sending my payments without missing a beat, as soon as they recover the overpayment? I have had nothing but problems with them in the past and wonder if it is best to just let them recover the overpayment by taking my monthly payments due, instead of paying them in full. I basically don't have much faith anymore. Thanks for your advice, in advance.

Hi. I can't promise you that Social Security won't mess something up, but if you repay an overpayment in full and if you do so before Social Security has scheduled recovery of the overpayment by withholding your benefits, then you should keep drawing your benefits once the overpayment is repaid. Of course, if you're still under full retirement age (FRA) then your current year benefits could be withheld if you'll be earning over the earnings test exempt amount this year.

Best, Jerry