I had to take another Field Trip to the Social Security Administration Office to deal with a matter that popped up. The last time I did this I thought I would never have to set foot in a SSA building again. I was wrong.

After making the 30 minute drive to the SSA office, and waiting for 35-40 minutes I was told that I needed a form SSA-131 for the issue. At no fault of mine, the SSA folks withheld information in February 2024 regarding the need for a form SSA-131 to be completed by my former employer stating that the income I received in 2024 (January to be exact) was payment for work performed in 2023, prior to my retirement date of December 31, 2023. Otherwise, the SSA was planning on taking back $1700 from me. This is a year and a half later!! WTF?? I was not happy.

When I spoke to a SSA representative in February 2024, she said to provide them the pay stubs for the income in question, which I promptly did. There was no mention of form SSA-131. Now, in June 2025, I get a letter saying I was overpaid due to me having income in 2024 and they wanted $1700 back! WTF?

Anyway. after the YouTube video below was created, my former employer completed the SSA-131, I put together what the SSA calls a “Request for Reconsideration” package contesting SSA’s actions and drove back to the office (30 minutes), waited in line (65 minutes this time) and hand delivered the documents to an agent who promptly scanned them into their system. I am now waiting for a letter with the result of reviewing my “Reconsideration“.

Retirement Ain’t Easy.