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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTwo big changes coming to Social Security you need to know about
In recent days, the Trump administration has announced two high-profile and controversial policy changes it says are meant to combat waste and fraud in Social Security.
First, the agency said it would resume garnishing entire benefit checks from Americans who receive overpayments, undoing a reform that had capped clawbacks at a smaller amount. Social Security officials claim the change will help the government recover an additional $7 billion over 10 years.
Later, the agency announced that enrollees would no longer be allowed to change their direct deposit information over the phone but would instead be required to use an online process with two-factor authentication or visit a Social Security office in person. The measure is meant to prevent some types of fraud.
Both decisions have been met with criticism. Former officials and outside experts worry the new clawback policy will punish poorer beneficiaries who cant afford to have their full checks taken away, while the additional security measures around bank account information will unnecessarily burden many seniors who lack computer skills.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/two-big-changes-coming-to-social-security-you-need-to-know-about-150020216.html
Beartracks
(14,347 posts)thesquanderer
(12,902 posts)1WorldHope
(1,861 posts)What they don't know and also don't care, is that most all over payments are mistakes made by SSA itself. One month you get a letter saying you have been under paid. 3 months later you get a letter saying you were over paid. When I worked with a disability rights org. we always had to warn people to not spend the "extra" money for that reason. We told them to wait for at least 3 months. You just would've believe how often that happens.
Silent Type
(12,412 posts)be able to divert payment to another account.
Hopefully, theyll continue to allow people to request a lower payment percentage as in past. And make sure there are alternatives to changing bank account info that make it as easy as possible.
Much bigger things to worry about under trump.
thesquanderer
(12,902 posts)According to the article, they will.
AverageOldGuy
(3,331 posts)Let's see a show of hands: Who thinks Muskrat and Trump give a big goddam about criticism of their moves to kill social security?
Show of hands.
Anyone?
Anyone?
In the back?
Bueller?
Show of hands.
Pinback
(13,501 posts)Easy-peasy, just come in to your local Social Security office. You say youre disabled? Well, get a ride then. Just find somebody wholl take you to the office 200 miles away, since we closed the one in town.
slightlv
(7,438 posts)They've closed two office close to me. Don't know about the one in St. Joe, nor of any closures in KCMO. We here in NEKS end up having to drive all over since they closed the one in KcK. I'm one of those who would have liked the option to change the account for my direct deposit. Right now, my CU is getting all benefits of the doubt because I can't easily change it. It sounds like we give up our rights and civil liberties as we get older and older.
meow2u3
(25,240 posts)They deducted $18/month for about 9 years until I paid the overpayment in full. I was able to work with Social Security.
What the regime wants to do is claw back everything all at once, not giving a damn if the retiree can't afford to pay rent or food.
Layzeebeaver
(2,153 posts)websites and portals can be created that don't need excessive skills. oh, wait... musk doesn't know this...
progressoid
(52,570 posts)I guaran-fucking-tee they just pulled those numbers our of Elon's ass.