While Social Security usually calculates benefits accurately, some recipients may feel they're receiving less than they deserve due to specific issues.
A key change is the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—rules that previously reduced benefits for those with non-covered government pensions.
This update affects about 3% of beneficiaries, and $14 billion in adjusted payments have already been issued. If you were impacted but haven't received an increase, contact the SSA.
Errors in your earnings record can also lead to reduced benefits. Since benefits are based on your taxed income, inaccuracies can result in underpayments.
It’s essential to check your earnings history on the SSA website regularly and correct mistakes early, as delays make corrections more difficult.
Additionally, unclaimed benefits—like those for divorced or surviving spouses—require separate applications and aren't granted automatically.
Lastly, taxes on Social Security benefits and recovery of overpayments can reduce the amount you receive, but these are not SSA errors. Regularly reviewing your records and understanding available benefits is crucial to ensuring you’re paid what you truly deserve.