Social Security—What You Need to Know When You Get Benefits

When you apply for your social security benefits, it could take several months before it gets approved by Social Security Administration (SSA).  But, any overdue payments starting from your retirement month will still be paid in a lump-sum. 

In this article, we will cover details that you need to pay attention to after you start receiving your benefits, which include:

• Paying your taxes on benefits
• Changes that you need to report to SSA
• Other important information

Paying taxes on your benefits

You’ll have to pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return and your total income:

• > $25,000 as an individual
• > $32,000 as a joint return

To have federal taxes withheld, you need to 

• Complete and sign a Form W-4V (download link)
• Note that you aren’t required to have federal income tax withheld from social security benefits. Your request is voluntary.
• Return it to your local Social Security office by mail or in person.

What you need to report to SSA

If you're working

• You need to estimate your earnings for the year
• If your earnings will be higher or lower than you estimated, let SSA know as soon as possible so they can adjust your benefits

If you move

• You need to tell SSA your new address and phone number as soon as you know them.
• They’ll stop your benefits if they can’t contact you.

If you change direct deposit accounts

• New account information takes about 30 to 60 days to change.
• Don’t close your old account until after you make sure your Social Security benefits are deposited into the new account.

If a person isn’t able to manage funds

• A “representative payee” who you trust to manage your benefits can be chosen in advance.^[3]
• You can submit an Advance Designation request online (see [3] for more details).

If you get married or divorced 

• If you get married or divorced, your Social Security benefits may be affected, based on the kind of benefits you receive.
• If SSA stop your benefits because of marriage or remarriage, they may start them again if the marriage ends (read [4] for more details).

If you change your name

• If you change your name, you need to tell SSA right away; otherwise, payments may not reach your account.

If you have an outstanding felony or arrest warrant

You must tell SSA if you have an outstanding felony or arrest warrant for any of the following offenses: 

• Flight to avoid prosecution or confinement. 
• Escape from custody. 
• Flight-escape.

You can’t receive regular retirement, survivors, disability benefits, or any underpayments you may be due for any month in which there is an outstanding felony or arrest warrant for any of these offenses.

If you leave the United States

• If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can travel to or live in most foreign countries and not affect your Social Security benefits.
• Exceptions—Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Let SSA know if you plan to go outside the United States for a trip that lasts 30 days or more. 
• Read [4] for more details.
• If you aren’t a U.S. citizen and you return to live in the United States, you must provide evidence of your noncitizen status to continue to receive benefits.
• Read [5] fore more details.

If your citizen status changes

• If you aren’t a citizen, let us know if you become a U.S. citizen or your noncitizen status changes.
• If your immigration status expires, you must give us new evidence that shows you continue to be in the United States lawfully.

Other conditions

There are other conditions that you need to report to SSA, which include:

• If you receive benefits because you care for a child
• If someone adopts a child who receives benefits
• If you become a parent after you begin to receive benefits
• If you’re convicted of a criminal offense
• If you’ve committed a crime and are confined to an institution
• If a beneficiary dies
• If you’re receiving Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits

How SSA will contact you

• They usually mail you a letter or notice when we want to contact you, but sometimes a Social Security representative may come to your home. 
• A Social Security representative may occasionally contact you by telephone if you have ongoing business with them
• If you've received a suspicious call, report details of the call to the Office of the InspectorGeneral.

Other Important Information

Read [4] for more information regarding the below condtions:

• Work and receive Social Security at the same time
• Retirement benefits for surviving spouses
• Benefits for children
• Can you get SSI?
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Medicare
• Contacting SSA

See also

1. Tax Underpayment Penalty: What It Is, Examples, and How to Avoid One
• To avoid an underpayment penalty, individuals generally must pay at minimum either 100% of last year’s tax or 90% of this year’s tax.
• Taxpayers should consult IRS Form 2210 to determine if they are required to report an underpayment and pay a penalty.
2. Tax Time Guide: Using electronic payment and agreement options for taxpayers who owe can help avoid penalties and interest
• An extension will help to avoid penalties and interest for failing to file on time, and gives taxpayers until Oct. 16, 2023, to file. However, they still must pay what they owe by the April 18 deadline.
3. A Guide for Representative Payees
4. What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits
5. Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States (Publication No. 05-10137)