Can I collect Social Security survivor benefits at 60 while still working? Hours limit confusion

Yes, survivor benefits can start at age 60, but there are important things to understand. First, taking benefits at 60 means you'll receive only about 71.5% of what your husband's full benefit would have been - you'd get 100% if you wait until your full retirement age (probably 67 for you).More importantly, if you're working, you'll be subject to the Social Security earnings limit until you reach your full retirement age. For 2025, you can earn up to $22,320 without any reduction in benefits. After that, they reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit.So with your income (approximately $40,000/year if you work 32 hours weekly at $24/hour), you would likely see a significant reduction in survivor benefits. It's not about hours worked but total earnings.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. So I'd only get about 71% of his benefit if I claim now at 60? And then they'd reduce it even more because of my job? That doesn't sound like it would leave much. Do you think it's even worth applying?

The previous commenter is right, but I'd add that applying might STILL be worth it despite the earnings limit! Even with reductions, you might receive some benefit payment. Plus, any benefits withheld because of the earnings limit aren't lost forever - they're added back to your benefit amount when you reach full retirement age.I was in a similar situation when my wife passed. I applied for survivor benefits at 61 while still working full-time. My checks were small after the reduction, but it helped with expenses, and now that I'm past FRA, my monthly amount increased nicely.You should definitely apply and let SSA calculate exactly what you'd receive. You can always decide not to proceed if the amount seems too small.

Thanks for mentioning this! So many people don't realize that benefits withheld due to the earnings test aren't permanently lost. My dad thought he'd

SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS! The system is completely RIDICULOUS when it comes to working while getting survivor benefits! I lost my husband 2 years ago and tried to navigate this mess. The earnings limit is a HUGE PROBLEM for anyone still needing to work! They don't count hours - just how much you EARN in a year. And they include EVERYTHING - even bonuses or overtime! I had to cut back at work just to keep some of my survivor benefit. Its basically punishing people who NEED TO WORK!!! The lady at my local SSA office was completely unhelpful and couldn't even tell me exactly how much I could earn. Wasted half a day just sitting there!

I'm so sorry you had such a frustrating experience. I'm worried about the same thing happening to me. Did you eventually get things sorted out with your benefits?

u might want to look into if theres an exception for ur situation. survivor benefits r different sometimes. my cousin got them when her husband died even tho she was still working full time but i think she was older than 60 maybe? also matters how much he paid into the system over his lifetime

You're partially right - survivor benefits have different rules than retirement benefits. However, the earnings test still applies to ALL Social Security benefits taken before full retirement age. The only exception is the month of entitlement and the calendar year you reach your full retirement age, when the earnings limit is higher ($59,520 for 2025) and the reduction is less ($1 for every $3 earned above the limit).

I went through this exact situation when my husband died three years ago. I was 59, and waited until 60 to apply for survivor benefits. The most frustrating part was actually getting through to Social Security to set up the application! I tried calling for weeks and could never get through - constant busy signals or disconnects after waiting on hold forever.I finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com), which somehow got me connected to an actual SSA representative within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. After I got connected, the application process itself wasn't too bad, though I did have to provide marriage certificates, death certificate, and proof of my income to deal with the earnings test.Definitely apply - even if you get a reduced benefit because of your income, it's still money that can help, and as someone else mentioned, those reductions get added back later.

Thank you for the tip! I've been worried about the application process too. Did you have to go into an office at all, or were you able to do everything by phone after you got connected?

Just to add one more thing - if you're eligible for retirement benefits on your own work record, you might want to consider a different strategy. You could take the reduced survivor benefit at 60 while continuing to work, then switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 if it would be higher (letting it grow through delayed retirement credits). Or vice versa - take your reduced retirement benefit now and switch to the full survivor benefit at your full retirement age. It really depends on which benefit would ultimately be higher.

This is great advice that most people miss! My financial advisor specifically told me to take the lower benefit first and then switch. Saved me thousands!

To answer your follow-up question about whether it's worth applying - absolutely yes! Even if your benefit is reduced due to the earnings test, you should still file for two important reasons:1) You'll establish eligibility for full survivor benefits at your full retirement age2) Any benefits withheld due to working will be credited back when you reach full retirement agePlus, if you have any months where you earn less (reduced hours, time between jobs, etc.), you might get a full benefit during those months. The earnings test is applied monthly in your first year of entitlement.You can always complete the application with SSA and they'll tell you exactly what your benefit amount would be before you make a final decision.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I think I will apply then. One last question - when they calculate the earnings limit, do they count other income like rental properties or just my wages from work?

For the earnings test, SSA only counts wages from employment or net earnings from self-employment. Other income like rental income, investment income, interest, pensions, annuities, capital gains, or government benefits don't count toward the earnings limit.So in your case, only your retail job wages would count toward the $22,320 limit. Any other passive income wouldn't affect your survivor benefits.This is another reason why applying is definitely worthwhile for you, especially if you have any additional income sources that aren't from working.

To answer your question about the application process - I didn't have to go into an office. After I got connected through Claimyr, I did everything by phone, then submitted the required documents by mail (you can also submit online through their website if you have a my Social Security account). The whole process took about 45 minutes on the phone, then a few weeks for processing. Just make sure you have your husband's Social Security number, your marriage certificate info, his death certificate, and recent tax returns or pay stubs to verify your current earnings. They'll tell you exactly what they need during the call.

That sounds much easier than I expected. I'll get all those documents together before I call. Thanks again for your help!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sofia. Losing a spouse is incredibly difficult, and navigating these benefit rules while grieving can feel overwhelming. Based on what others have shared, it definitely sounds like applying is worth it even with the earnings test reduction. The fact that withheld benefits get credited back to you later at full retirement age means you're not permanently losing that money - just getting it later when you might need it even more. One thing I'd suggest is calling SSA early in the morning (like right when they open at 7am) to avoid some of the phone wait times, or try that Claimyr service Connor mentioned if you keep having trouble getting through. Having all your documents ready beforehand will make the actual application much smoother. The most important thing is that you have options here, and taking survivor benefits at 60 while working is definitely one of them. Even if the monthly amount seems small after reductions, every bit helps with those bills you mentioned. You've got this!