Richard Stephen | Istock | Getty ImagesWhen Joyce Debnam's husband passed away, she began receiving $1,400 a month in Social Security survivor benefits.
That life change prompted Debnam's Social Security benefits to be cut to just $174 a month.
Moreover, the Social Security Administration notified her she had to return $5,000 in benefits she had been overpaid.
Debnam is one of millions of workers who is affected by Social Security rules related to public workers and reductions in the benefits they are eligible to receive.
"We recommend that people review their Social Security Statement at least once every year, which includes important information about WEP and GPO," a Social Security spokeswoman said in a statement.
Persons:
Richard Stephen, Istock, Joyce Debnam's, Debnam, Mike Carey R, Mike Carey, Carey, Mark Warshawsky, Warshawsky
Organizations:
Social, United States Postal Service, Debnam's Social, Social Security Administration, Social Security, Congressional Research Service, GPO, Security, American Postal Workers Union, American Enterprise Institute
Locations:
Debnam, Suitland , Maryland, Ohio, Baton Rouge , Louisiana