I reached 62 in Nov 2017. I claimed Social Security that month and was told I would be a getting $1,153 payment starting Dec 2017 and actually receiving the money around 10 January 2018, then receive each payment on the second Wednesday each month thereafter. I just received a letter from SS Admin stating they cannot pay benefits beginning January 2018. Their basing this on earnings for 2017 which were $21,090 (I worked part time) and they are using this estimate to decide my benefits for 2018. Is this correct that my earnings in 2017 effect my 2018 benefits even though I was eligible for SS for only the month of December 2017. If this is correct am I right in estimating I earned $4,170 over the $16,920 threshold therefore they will use the lose a dollar for every 2 dollars earned over that threshold, which if my math is correct will be $2,085 and they will stop this amount before they pay me my full entitlement each month!
If all this is correct why wasn't I told this during my telephone interview with the SS admin when I applied for SS and why isn't this widely known so I could make a better informed decision. I can't believe you have to stop earning money over the $16,920 threshold the year you apply for SS! Am I missing something! Thanks for any information you can help me with.

Hi,

No, your 2017 earnings won't have any bearing on your ability to draw your benefits for 2018. Social Security is using $21,090 as your estimated earnings for 2018, which would require withholding of some of your 2018 benefits if it was true (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). All you need to do is ask Social Security to change your 2018 earnings estimate, assuming that you don't actually expect to earn that much next year. You can earn up to $17,040 in 2018 without losing any of your benefits next year

While you're at it, you should also file an annual report for 2017. Apparently you were able to draw benefits for December of 2017 because you earned less than $1,410 that month, and you need to confirm that to Social Security after the first of the year.

Best, Jerry