A Raleigh woman lost her only source of income when the Social Security Administration (SSA) informed her that she earned more than $100,000 in 2024—a figure she asserts is completely untrue.
Audrey Richardson, 65, lives off her monthly Social Security payment solely to support herself. She hasn’t been employed since 2019, but a letter from SSA indicated she earned $114,572 last year, and her benefits would be suspended.
A confounding letter and a threatened off
“Where I read the letter, it indicated that I worked from January 2024 to December 2024. I just burst out laughing, and I said, ‘This is a joke,’ because I have not worked since 2019,” Richardson claimed.
Richardson explained that she had made the transition from disability income to survivor’s income and now receives Social Security retirement income. She never had any problems until now. But the notice informed her that her payments would plummet—to just $163 a month.
“I live alone, and that is the sole income that I receive,” she explained.
Finding the source of the error
When Richardson pressed Social Security officials for answers, she reports an agent sent her to a company that allegedly reported her as earning a six-figure salary.
“Ma’am, I never heard of them. “In my honour, I have never worked for a place like that,” Richardson told the SSA agent.
Determined to verify her statement, she called the firm herself. The company’s human resources representative examined their payroll records and told her they had no record that she ever worked for them. In fact, the company wrote a letter to SSA stating that Richardson had never shown up on their payroll.
“They even told me that no one in the company made that kind of money,” Richardson said.
Fighting to protect her benefits
Even though she had the letter from the company, Richardson says SSA told her she would need to file a formal appeal or forfeit her benefits.
Angered, she reached out to ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson for help. When Wilson called the Social Security Administration, Richardson says she got a speedy return call from SSA—and a fix.
“They corrected the issue and assured my benefits won’t be impacted,” Richardson said. “I was so relieved.”
Social Security acts
While the SSA did not directly address Richardson’s case, citing privacy laws, a representative showed gratitude to Wilson for bringing the matter to their attention. They said they took the matter directly to Richardson.
The SSA also warned the public that errors, though rare, can happen. And when they do happen, beneficiaries have the right to appeal and present evidence in a bid to correct inaccurate records.
A warning to all beneficiaries
Richardson’s case is a warning to Social Security beneficiaries and retirees to ensure that their records are accurate. Inaccurate wage reporting—resulting from clerical mistakes, identity theft, or reported pay errors—can jeopardise benefits.
Experts warn beneficiaries:
- Check their Social Security statements periodically to ensure earnings records are accurate.
- Report mistakes immediately by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visiting a neighbourhood office.
- Keep detailed records so you can easily verify mistaken claims.
For Richardson, the quick fix came as a relief. “I’m just glad it’s done,” she said. “When Social Security is your sole means of support, you cannot afford to have this type of thing fall between the cracks.”
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