Ask Larry

Shouldn't I Have Been Entitled To The Benefits I Was Asked To Pay Back?

Larry,
I retired under poor working conditions in (June)) 2008. Before I retired I was 68 years old drawing my husbands Social Security. Thur Jun I continue to draw SS I was in a pay status drawing on my sick leave. During this time. After I retired SS Requested that I pay that 6 months back. Should I not have been entitled to that due to my being in a pay status? I have often wonder about that. At the time, the poor working conditions had taken a mental toll on me. Please answer if you can my email. As I am hearing impaired.

Hi. I'm sorry, but I don't have enough information to give you a good answer. If you were under your full retirement age (FRA) in the months you're referencing then your Social Security benefits may not have been payable depending on how much you were earning. Sick leave paid during a person's period of employment normally counts as earnings under Social Security's earnings test, so that may explain why you were asked to return some of your benefits. Whether or not that decision was correct, though, depends on all of the specific circumstances involved.

Best, Jerry

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Posted: 
Apr 6 2021 - 6:08pm
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