I turned 62 in March of this year and applied for SS benefits. I am working and make $11 an hour @ 40 hours a week. I am told by SS that I will not receive a check until June because I make more than the $1410 a month that is allowed. My monthly benefit is $1293.00 yet they are holding 2 Checks and claim the overage will be paid in Jan 2018. Why can't they reduce my monthly benefit amount to cover the overage? How do they expect people to pay their monthly bills without their money??

Hi,

If you will earn more than $16,920 this year, Social Security needs to withhold $1 of your 2017 benefits for every $2 that you earn in excess of $16,920 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). Social Security normally does this by withholding full checks until the necessary amount is withheld, but they can withhold partial checks under certain circumstances. For details on this provision, refer to the following section of Social Security's operations manual: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302501120. If you would prefer this type of prorated withholding, you must submit a written request to Social Security.

Best, Jerry