US Social Security Checks Face Potential Cuts Over Student Loan Debts

The upcoming weeks will see an increase in Social Security Number (SSN) no-match letters sent to employers, requiring careful compliance to avoid scrutiny from both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Starting June 30, 2025, the reactivated Treasury Offset Program will allow the government to reduce Social Security checks by up to 15% for retirees with defaulted student loans, affecting millions of older adults reliant on these benefits. In Portugal, the Ombudsman has criticized Social Security practices for demanding repayment of benefits without proper notification or justification, leading to calls for legal reforms to protect beneficiaries' rights. Additionally, the Social Security payment schedule in the United States is determined by beneficiaries' birthdates, with payments dispersed on specific Wednesdays of each month, including the final payment on May 28, 2025, for those born between the 21st and 31st. Beneficiaries are advised to wait three business days after their scheduled payment date before reporting any missing deposits. These developments highlight ongoing challenges and changes in Social Security administration affecting both employers and beneficiaries.