In 2016 I received 8 months of benefits 10,544 suspending the last 4 months equal to 5,272 due to returning to work. The threshold for other income in 2016 was 15,720. My net income at end of year was 23,118. What would be the amount I would have to repay SSA keeping in mind that I did not receive the full year of benefits which would have been $15,816. My income was 7399 over threshold and payback would be 3699. But that would be the same amount of payback if I had received all my benefits for the year. Am I having to payback more than I should since I didn't receive the whole year of benefits? I've been trying to get this worked out with SSA to no avail.

Hi,

Well, if you were under full retirement age (FRA) for the entire year of 2016 and your 2016 earnings exceeded the earnings test exempt amount by $7399, then you'd be due all but $3699 of the benefits you were due for that year. If Social Security withheld more than that amount, then you should be due a refund of the excess withholding.

However, I have no way of knowing whether or not Social Security has paid you properly since that time so I can't tell you whether or not you still have an underpayment coming. If you believe that you haven't received the proper amount of benefits then you'll need to continue working with Social Security to sort it out.

Best, Jerry