Social Security Can Take 50% of Your Monthly Check for an Overpayment — Here’s How to Ask for Less

Social Security overpayment recovery can reduce a monthly benefit substantially, but recipients may have options to challenge the debt, request a waiver, or seek a lower withholding rate – Shutterstock

A Social Security overpayment can turn a normal monthly benefit into a much smaller check. The Social Security Administration can withhold up to 50% of certain benefits to recover an overpayment, depending on the type of benefit involved.

That does not necessarily mean a recipient has to accept that reduction without asking for another arrangement. Social Security provides ways to dispute an overpayment, request a waiver, or ask the agency to recover the money at a lower rate.