For most Americans, Social Security is a “set it and forget it” system. Once the checks start arriving, the assumption is that the government has done the math correctly and that nothing further is required. In 2026, that passive approach is dangerous.
With the introduction of new fraud prevention tools, frozen tax thresholds that catch more middle-class seniors, and a backlog of legislative changes (like the WEP repeal), your Social Security file requires active management. A simple error in your earnings history or a failure to lock down your account can lead to reduced benefits or identity theft. Before you file your taxes or plan your summer budget, take these six review steps that most retirees skip.
1. Audit Your “Earnings Record” for Zeros
Your benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) missed a year of work—perhaps due to a clerical error by an old employer—they enter a “0” for that year.
Log in to your my Social Security account and download your Earnings Record. Scan the list for any years where you worked but the record shows $0 or significantly less than you remember. You only have a limited window (generally 3 years, 3 months, and 15 days) to correct these errors. If you find a mistake, you must locate your old W-2s and file a Request for Correction of Earnings Record immediately to ensure your future checks are calculated correctly.
2. Check Your “Provisional Income” Status
As we discussed in previous updates, the income thresholds for taxing Social Security benefits are not adjusted for inflation. They remain frozen at $25,000 for singles and $32,000 for couples.
Calculate your “Provisional Income” for 2026: Take your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) + nontaxable interest + 50% of your Social Security benefits. If this number has crept over the threshold due to this year’s 2.8% COLA or higher interest from your savings account, you need to set aside money for taxes now. Many seniors skip this step and are shocked when 85% of their benefits become taxable at year-end.
3. Activate the “Direct Deposit Fraud Block”
In response to a rise in redirect fraud (where scammers change your bank details to their own), the SSA has introduced new security features for 2026.
Inside your portal, look for the “Direct Deposit Fraud Prevention Block.” Activating this feature prevents anyone (including you) from changing your banking information online. If you ever need to change banks in the future, you will have to visit a local office or call to verify your identity. While inconvenient, this “hard lock” is the only way to ensure your check isn’t stolen by a hacker with your password.
4. Verify Survivor Benefit “Hierarchy”
Many couples assume that if one spouse dies, the other simply “gets the higher check.” While generally true, the rules are complex regarding ex-spouses and “delayed retirement credits.”
If you have been married multiple times, review your file to ensure the SSA has record of your previous marriages (if they lasted over 10 years). You may be eligible for a higher Survivor Benefit on an ex-spouse’s record than on your current spouse’s. This data is not automatic; you must provide divorce decrees to the SSA before a death occurs to streamline the claim process later.
5. Monitor the “Earnings Test” Limit ($24,480)
If you are collecting benefits before your Full Retirement Age (FRA) and still working, you are subject to the Retirement Earnings Test.
For 2026, the earnings limit has risen to $24,480. If you earn more than this, the SSA will withhold $1 for every $2 you are over. Review your year-to-date pay stubs. If you are on track to exceed this number, consider deferring your benefits or adjusting your work hours. Remember, investment income and pensions do not count toward this limit—only wages from a job.
6. Check Your WEP/GPO Status
If you are a retired public servant (teacher, police officer) waiting for the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act (repealing the WEP/GPO penalties), you need to check your status actively.
The repeal implementation in 2026 is facing a processing backlog. Check your “Benefit Verification Letter” online. If it still shows a deduction for “Windfall Elimination,” do not assume it will fix itself. You may need to file an appeal or a specific form to trigger the recalculation. Staying visible in the queue is essential to receiving your retroactive pay sooner rather than later.
Be The CEO of Your Benefit
Social Security is likely your largest financial asset, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Treat it like a business. An annual 20-minute review of your online portal can detect errors that would otherwise permanently lower your standard of living.
Did you find a “zero” year on your earnings record? Leave a comment below—tell us if you were able to fix it!
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