Social Security is one of the most important forms of help available in the United States for people who have worked for most of their lives. Thanks to this program, millions of retirees can receive a monthly income that allows them to cover basic expenses such as food, housing, and medicine.
Normally, those who have worked long enough can start collecting benefits at age 62. Although the payment is not as high as if they waited until full retirement age, many people prefer it this way because it allows them to leave work earlier and start getting their money. However, it’s not all that simple: in some cases, these payments may be suspended.
And that is exactly what could happen this month of May 2025. There is a group of beneficiaries who could be left without their check, something that can cause concern and a lot of headaches if the exact reason is not known.
Retirees who will no longer have Social Security
Although it sounds strange, Social Security may stop sending you money even if you have already started receiving it. The reason is not always the beneficiary’s fault, but there are certain conditions that, if broken, lead directly to the suspension of payments. Here are some of the most common:
- Earning income above the allowed limit, which mainly affects those who apply for retirement before age 67.
- Living outside the country for too long, especially if you do not meet the requirements to continue receiving benefits from abroad.
- Failure to respond to letters or requests for information from the administration.
- Changes in legal status or number of years worked that are discovered after file reviews.
In all these cases, the Social Security Administration may stop payments until the situation is reviewed. And yes, although it sounds unfair, this can happen even without prior notice if the requirements are not met on time.
Can I get my Social Security payment back?
It depends on the reason for the suspension, but yes, in many cases it is possible to recover the benefit. The most important thing is to act quickly and have all your documentation in order.
For example, if your income drops and you fall below the annual limit again, you can notify the SSA so they can reactivate your payment. It may also be that a document is missing or that an administrative error has occurred. In these cases, once you submit the missing information or correct the error, payments will usually resume and you may even get back the money you did not receive during that time.
The important thing is not to let time pass. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to resolve the issue. If there is one thing to learn from these situations, it is that it is a good idea to check your mail carefully, keep your information up to date, and consult with the administration if you have any questions.