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Working while receiving retroactive Social Security at FRA - will I owe money back?
I'm freaking out after reading someone's post about earnings limits. Here's my situation: I reached my full retirement age (FRA) of 66 years and 4 months in January 2025, but I didn't file for my Social Security benefits until July. When I applied, they gave me 6 months of retroactive benefits going back to February 2025 in one big payment of about $12,500. The problem is I've been working full-time all through 2025 and will earn around $85,000 this year. I thought once you hit your FRA, earnings don't affect your benefits? But now I'm worried I might have to pay back some of that retroactive money since I was working during those months. Does anyone know if there's an earnings test for retroactive payments that start after FRA? Will the SSA ask for half my retroactive payment back?
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Social Security spousal benefits after FRA when partner never paid into SS - marriage timing question
I'm trying to figure out if my boyfriend should become my husband for SS benefit purposes! We're both over our Full Retirement Age. I'm collecting Social Security based on my work history, but my boyfriend has never paid into Social Security - he worked for a state government his whole career and receives a pension from that system instead.If we decide to get married (we've been together 11 years), would he qualify for spousal benefits based on my work record? And if so, would he be eligible immediately after we tie the knot, or is there some waiting period? I know there's that Government Pension Offset (GPO) that might reduce what he'd get, but I'm more concerned about WHEN he could start receiving anything at all.Any insights appreciated - trying to decide if we should just go to the courthouse next month!
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Oh goodness, I think you misunderstood! We've been together 11 years and are completely committed to each other. We just never felt the need for the legal paperwork. We were simply wondering if there might be financial benefits to formalizing our relationship at this point in our lives. Rest assured, our relationship is based on love not money! 💕
Can I claim Social Security widow benefits with CSRS pension and remarriage after 60?
I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for widow benefits based on my late husband's Social Security record. Here's my situation: I currently receive a Federal pension under CSRS (Civil Service Retirement System), which means I didn't pay into Social Security during my government career. My husband passed away after we'd been married for 23 years. About 4.5 years after his death, I remarried at age 63. I've never collected any widow benefits from his Social Security record. I know there's that Government Pension Offset (GPO) that can reduce Social Security benefits for government retirees, but I'm confused about how that applies with the remarriage situation. Does anyone know if I'm eligible for ANY widow benefits from my first husband's Social Security record despite receiving my CSRS pension and having remarried? I keep getting conflicting information and the SSA phone lines are impossible to get through!
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my aunt got hit by GPO and WEP both...worked 18 yrs for the post office (CSRS) and 22 yrs in private sector. her own SS benefit got WEP'd and her widow benefit got GPO'd. ended up with just $220/mo from SS plus her CSRS pension. system is so confusing
One more thing to consider - if your current spouse (the one you remarried at 63) passes away, you could potentially claim widow benefits on THEIR record too. In that scenario, you'd get the higher of the two widow benefits (after GPO reduction), not both. Something to keep in mind for future planning.
That's a good point I hadn't considered. My current husband also has a good earnings record with Social Security. I hope I don't have to face that situation for many years, but it's helpful to understand all the options. This system is so complex!
Will remarriage at age 66 affect my SS retirement benefits after 4 years divorced?
I started collecting my Social Security retirement benefits in December 2023 when I turned 65. I've been divorced for 4 years now and was single throughout that time. Recently, I met someone special and we're planning to get married next year (2025). We'll have a prenuptial agreement in place, but I'm concerned about how this marriage might affect my Social Security benefits. Does remarriage at my age (I'll be 66 next year) change anything about my current benefits? I've heard conflicting things from friends about this. Some say my benefits won't change at all since I'm collecting on my own record, others say any marriage affects benefits no matter your age. Can anyone clarify this situation?
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Has anybody mentioned Medicare yet??? Because if either of you has better Medicare coverage thru a former employer that could be affected by marriage!!! The whole system is RIGGED against senior remarriage if you ask me!!!
Medicare eligibility itself isn't affected by marriage, but if either person has supplemental coverage through a former employer, it's worth checking with that plan administrator. Some employer plans have specific provisions about covering new spouses. This isn't a Social Security issue directly, but definitely part of overall retirement planning.
Just wondering - will you be changing your name when you get married? If so, don't forget to update your Social Security card first, then driver's license, bank accounts, etc. I made the mistake of doing them in the wrong order and it was a nightmare!
I'm planning to keep my current last name - seems easier at this stage of life! But that's a great tip about the correct order for those who do change their names.
Can I claim Social Security survivor benefits at 66 with a teacher pension (WEP/GPO question)?
I recently turned 66 and I'm trying to figure out if I qualify for survivor benefits from my late husband. He passed away 10 years ago when I was 56. At that time, I was told I wasn't eligible for any benefits (no minor children, I was working, etc.). My husband worked for 30+ years as a chemical engineer with good earnings - I estimate his benefit at FRA would have been around $3,800/month based on his earnings history. My situation: I've been a public school teacher in California for 25 years (non-SS covered employment), but before teaching, I worked about 12 years in corporate HR where I paid into Social Security. My CalSTRS pension will be approximately $5,200/month if I retire now. I know the Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces survivor benefits for those with pensions from non-SS covered work, but I'm wondering if I'd still be eligible for SOMETHING now that I've reached what I think is my Full Retirement Age. I never remarried after my husband's death. I'm still teaching but considering retirement soon if there's any benefit to claiming. When I called SSA after my husband died, they basically said I wasn't eligible for anything, but that was 10 years ago. Has anything changed now that I'm 66?
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Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try contacting SSA to get an exact calculation of what I might receive after the GPO reduction. Even if it's only a few hundred dollars, that's still meaningful over time. I'll gather all my documents (marriage certificate, death certificate, pension statements, etc.) and try to schedule an appointment. If I can't get through on the phone, I'll check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned. One last question: If I do qualify for some small survivor benefit, can I receive that AND still potentially claim my own Social Security later (from those 12 years I worked in the private sector)? Or do I have to choose one or the other?
Yes, you can claim survivor benefits now and switch to your own retirement benefit later if it would be higher (or vice versa). This is one of the few remaining claiming strategies after the 2015 law changes. Just be aware that your own benefit would likely be reduced by WEP due to your teacher pension. Ask the SSA representative to calculate both scenarios for you.
Carmen Flores
My mom worked full time after claiming SS at her full retirement age and never had to pay anything back. Earnings test doesn't apply once you hit FRA!
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Ethan Wilson
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I feel so much better now understanding that since all my retroactive payments were for months AFTER I reached my full retirement age, the earnings test doesn't apply at all. I was getting myself all worked up after reading about someone who had to pay back benefits, but their situation must have been different. Really appreciate all the explanations!
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CyberSamurai
Happy to help clarify! Just remember that while the earnings test doesn't apply, you'll still need to report your Social Security benefits on your tax return, and depending on your combined income, up to 85% of your benefits might be taxable. But that's just normal taxation, not returning benefits. Good luck!
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