Social Security update: SSA says billions owed in overpayments to beneficiaries

Participants of the Social Security Administration's various programs have received letters in the mail claiming that they owe thousands of dollars because they were admittedly overpaid by the administration.

Some recipients have reported that they were told to return $67,000 over the next 30 days or submit a partial refund with a letter explaining their circumstances, the beneficiaries told Newsweek. Beneficiaries can also appeal the refund.

During the last fiscal year, the administration said it regained $4.7 billion of overpayments, but another $21.6 billion remained outstanding, according to a report by SSA's inspector general.

"We continually strive to...