Can I adjust my SS earnings limit after spouse's passing? Started benefits before FRA in March
I'm really struggling with some Social Security decisions after my husband's unexpected death last week. I had already applied to start my retirement benefits in March (next month) because I was planning to quit my job to become his full-time caregiver. Now everything's changed. My Full Retirement Age is sometime in 2026, so I know there are earnings limits until then. If I earn about $19,800 by the end of March when my benefits would start, how much can I earn monthly for the rest of the year? Can I make around $2,450/month for the remaining 9 months (totaling about $41,850 for the year), or would I be limited to about $1,166/month for the rest of the year? Also, is it possible to completely withdraw my SS application since I haven't started receiving benefits yet? I'm still processing everything and trying to figure out what makes the most sense financially. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Diego Mendoza
I'm so sorry for your loss. To answer your questions: 1. For 2025, the annual earnings limit before FRA is $23,520. This means you could earn up to this amount for the entire year without having benefits reduced. If you exceed this, SSA withholds $1 for every $2 above the limit. 2. The earnings limit applies to the full calendar year, not monthly after you start benefits. So if you earn $41,850 total for 2025, you'd be $18,330 over the limit, resulting in approximately $9,165 being withheld from your benefits. 3. Yes, you can withdraw your application before benefits begin! File Form SSA-521 (Request for Withdrawal of Application) immediately. There's no penalty if you haven't received benefits yet.
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Chloe Wilson
•Thank you so much for the clear explanation. I think withdrawing my application might be the best option right now since I haven't started receiving benefits. I'm wondering though - if I do withdraw, would I be eligible for any survivor benefits based on my husband's work record? Or would those be reduced if I'm working?
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Anastasia Romanov
sorry about ur husband. my sister went thru something similar. the earnings limit is for the WHOLE year not just after u start benefits. its not a monthly thing really. they look at total earnings for the year. u might wanna consider survivors benefits instead now??? much to think about.
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Diego Mendoza
•You raise an excellent point about survivor benefits. As a widow, you may be eligible for survivor benefits based on your husband's work record, which could be higher than your own retirement benefit depending on his earnings history. You can receive reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60. And yes, the earnings test applies to survivor benefits too if you're under FRA.
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StellarSurfer
First, my condolences on your loss. This is a situation where you should definitely withdraw your retirement application (Form SSA-521) and reconsider your options. As a widow, you have more claiming strategies available: 1. You could claim survivor benefits now and switch to your own retirement at FRA or later 2. You could claim your reduced retirement now and switch to survivors later 3. You could delay both if your current income meets your needs The optimal strategy depends on the relative benefit amounts and your life expectancy. This is definitely worth a consultation with SSA directly to understand your specific benefit amounts. Regarding the earnings test - it's an ANNUAL limit. For 2025, it's $23,520 for those below FRA. So if you earn $41,850 in 2025, you'd be $18,330 over the limit, meaning approximately $9,165 would be withheld ($1 for every $2 over).
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Sean Kelly
•Would she actually get that $9,165 back later when she reaches FRA? I thought SS recalculates at full retirement age and gives back the withheld money gradually?
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StellarSurfer
•Yes, you're correct. When she reaches her FRA, SSA will recalculate her benefit amount to give credit for the months benefits were withheld. It's not a direct refund, but rather an increase in her monthly benefit amount going forward. So the money isn't permanently lost - it's essentially deferred until FRA.
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Zara Malik
I am SO sorry for your loss. In addition to what others said correctly about the earnings limit being annual not monthly, I want to emphasize something IMPORTANT you need to know: If you're eligible for both survivor benefits AND your own retirement, you have options! You could: 1. Take REDUCED survivor benefits now, then switch to YOUR OWN (unreduced) retirement at your FRA 2. Take YOUR reduced retirement now, then switch to FULL survivor benefits at your FRA DON'T let Social Security automatically give you the highest benefit now - that's often NOT the best long-term strategy!!! This is a complex decision that could mean tens of thousands of dollars difference over your lifetime. I would absolutely withdraw your current application (use Form SSA-521) and get a fresh consultation with SSA about your new options as a widow.
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Chloe Wilson
•Thank you for explaining these options - I had no idea I could switch between benefits! Is there a way to calculate which approach would give me the most money long-term? I'm 63 now and in good health, and my husband was 66 when he passed.
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Zara Malik
•The calculation depends on several factors including your benefit amount, your husband's benefit amount, and your life expectancy. Generally, if your own retirement benefit will eventually be larger than the survivor benefit, take survivors first and switch later. If the survivor benefit will be larger, take your retirement first and switch later. SSA won't necessarily tell you which is best long-term - they often just offer the highest immediate benefit.
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Luca Greco
Trying to reach SSA for this kind of complex situation can be a nightmare!! i tried calling for WEEKS about my wifes survivor benefits - constant busy signals or 3+ hour waits. finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at SSA in under 20 minutes! they have this demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU don't waste weeks trying to get through like i did. this is way too important a decision to make without getting ALL the info from SSA about your options, especially with both retirement and survivor benefits potentially available.
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Chloe Wilson
•That's really helpful, thank you. I've been dreading making those calls knowing how hard it is to get through. I'll check out that service because I definitely need to talk to someone at SSA directly about my specific situation.
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Anastasia Romanov
•i used that service too when my sister needed help with her widows benefits!!! totally worth it instead of calling for days and getting nowhere
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Nia Thompson
I'm so very sorry about your husband. Please be aware that sometimes the SSA representatives don't fully explain all your options! When my husband died, they just automatically started my survivor benefits without explaining I could have waited and gotten more later. I wish I had known I could switch between my own retirement and survivor benefits for maximum advantage. Definitely withdraw your current application right away since you haven't started receiving benefits yet. Use form SSA-521. Then carefully consider your new options as a widow. The earnings test applies to BOTH retirement and survivor benefits the same way, so that part of your question doesn't change based on which benefit you choose.
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Mateo Rodriguez
just wanted to say im sorry for your loss. please make sure you also apply for the lump sum death payment from social security. its only $255 but its something. you have to call them about it though they dont just give it to you automatically
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Chloe Wilson
•Thank you - I didn't know about this payment. Every little bit helps right now.
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