If you agree you owe an overpayment, Social Security takes it back by withholding part of each payment unless you repay it another way. You can ask for a smaller amount at any time. Here is how the rates work now and how to ask.
The default rates
| Program | Default withholding | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security (retirement, survivors, SSDI) | 50% of the monthly benefit, for notices sent on or after April 25, 2025 | EM-25029 REV; ssa.gov |
| Social Security, older notices | 10%, the rate in the notice, unless you get a new overpayment | EM-25029 REV |
| SSI | 10% of total monthly income (SSI plus countable income), or the whole payment if less | 20 CFR 416.571 |
The Social Security rate has moved a lot. It was 100% until March 2024, when SSA cut the default to 10% (press release, March 29, 2024). In March 2025 SSA announced a return to 100%, then set 50% for notices from April 25, 2025 (EM-25029 REV). Fraud and similar fault are exceptions: then SSA won't lower the rate.
How much lower SSA will go
- Within 12 months: SSA first tries to agree a rate that repays the whole debt within 12 months, and for Social Security doesn't need any information about your income or expenses to do it (POMS GN 02210.030B).
- Within 60 months: if 12 months isn't possible, SSA negotiates a rate that repays it within 60 months, taking your income, resources and expenses by phone. No SSA-634 is needed.
- Beyond 60 months: SSA asks for Form SSA-634. It compares your household income with your expenses and checks whether your resources are below $3,000 (POMS GN 02210.030C).
- The floor is $10 a month.
Example: an $8,400 overpayment on a $1,800 monthly benefit. At 50%, SSA would withhold $900 a month and finish in about 10 months. Asking for $150 a month repays it in 56 months: within 60, so a phone call should do.
Shortcuts in SSA's manual
If you get full Medicare Part D Extra Help, SSA grants any rate of at least $10 without the form. If you get cash public assistance such as TANF or a VA pension, SSA verifies it and withholds the amount you ask for, at least $10, without the form (POMS GN 02210.030B and C).
Got an SSA overpayment letter? Check which form fits.Start the free overpayment check
SSI
SSA honors a request to go below 10% when you can't meet ordinary and necessary living expenses at the higher rate. It aims for repayment within 12 months, then 60; if your rate would take longer than 60 months, it completes SSA-634 with you. The minimum is again $10 a month (POMS SI 02220.026). More in our SSI overpayment guide.
How to ask
- Call 1-800-772-1213 or your local office with the monthly amount you can afford.
- Or upload SSA-634 through your my Social Security account. SSA's repayment page says to fill it in, upload it and wait for a decision by mail.
- Or fax, mail or bring it to your local office.
On SSA-634 you list your accounts and other assets, your monthly household income and expenses, and the amount you can pay. Expenses: don't list anything taken out of a paycheck, and count credit cards once. SSA asks for proof of income, resources and large expenses, but not of food and household items unless they look unusually high. If you no longer get benefits, set up an installment plan at 1-855-807-8807 instead.
Lower rate, or a waiver?
A lower rate still means repaying everything. If you weren't at fault and can't afford to repay, a waiver (SSA-632-BK) asks SSA not to collect at all, and stops collection while SSA decides. Many people file the waiver and keep an SSA-634 ready in case the waiver is denied. See the three forms compared.
Free help is available from legal aid (LawHelp.org) and from Social Security itself. This guide is general information, not legal advice.