By Kaylee Remington
cleveland.com
(TNS)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the year draws to a close, experts say Social Security recipients may benefit from reviewing several key items before Dec. 31 to help avoid payment issues, tax surprises or reporting problems in 2026.
While the Social Security Administration does not publish a formal “year-end checklist,” experts point to official SSA rules that make late December an important time to verify information.
Reviewing your earnings record is a first step, because Social Security benefits are calculated using a worker’s highest 35 years of income. Incorrect or missing wages can reduce future benefits, and SSA encourages workers to check their records regularly through their online mySocialSecurity account.
Social Security officials also suggest checking tax withholding before January. Social Security recipients who want taxes taken out of their benefits must file a Form W-4V; SSA processes the request, but the IRS oversees withholding rules.
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For people receiving disability benefits, SSA requires recipients to report work activity and earnings to avoid overpayments. Reporting can be done online, by phone or at a local office.
Officials also recommend verifying or updating direct deposit information before the new year to ensure January payments aren’t delayed. SSA said beneficiaries should report bank account changes immediately so benefits are not sent to a closed or inactive account.
Recipients should also make sure their mySocialSecurity account is up to date heading into 2026. The portal houses earnings records, benefit estimates, payment schedules and other tools beneficiaries may need as new-year changes take effect.
Photo credit: Douglas Rissing/iStock
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©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.
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