Ask Larry

Why am I receiving a questionnaire (Form SSA-L9781-SM (7-2021)) in paper form, and why isn't there an alternative (web link) where I can respond electronically?

On the surface it seem a waste of resources, but what is troubling me is that the letter states that I will earn $11,000 annually more than my SSA is paying; I never told anyone that I was going to work anywhere (I may have asked how much I could earn). It's trivial, but the return postage is on me (job security for the postal service if all 50,000,000 of us send that back in snail mail.)

Create a web link where I can fill out the information!

Hi. I don't know why you're getting the form, but Social Security does regularly ask people who are receiving benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) to report their prior year earnings and expected earnings for the upcoming year. I don't know why Social Security doesn't allow such information to be submitted online, but you can report earnings information to Social Security by phone at 800-772-1213. If you call them, you can ask why you can't submit the information online.

Best, Jerry