Can I receive widow benefits while working full-time before FRA? Confused about SS earnings limit

Yes, you are eligible for survivor benefits as a widow even while working full-time, but there are several important things to understand: 1. You can claim widow benefits as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled) 2. If you're working and under your Full Retirement Age (FRA), the earnings test does apply 3. For 2025, the earnings limit is approximately $22,300 (they adjust it yearly) 4. For every $2 you earn above that limit, $1 is withheld from benefits 5. This is based on YOUR earnings ($68,000), not his benefit amount Since you're still working and making $68,000, a significant portion of your widow benefit would be withheld due to the earnings test. However, when you reach your FRA, SSA will recalculate your benefit to credit you for months when benefits were reduced or withheld.

When my uncle passed last yr my aunt was in same boat, working PT making around 30k. SSA told her it wasn't worth applying till she either quit or hit FRA bc of that earnings test thing. She was losing almost everything.

I would still recommend applying when you turn 60. Even if most of your widow's benefit is withheld now due to the earnings test, there are two important advantages: 1. You'll establish your eligibility in the SSA system 2. You'll begin receiving any portion you're eligible for immediately 3. Most importantly, when you reach your FRA, they'll automatically adjust your benefit amount to account for the months benefits were withheld You also need to understand the difference between filing for your own retirement benefit vs. widow benefits. These are separate entitlements, and you can file for one now and switch to the other later if that maximizes your benefits. For example, you could take reduced widow benefits at 60 and switch to your own (unreduced) retirement benefit at your FRA if it's higher.

The whole earnings test thing is RIDICULOUS! It's basically a tax on grief. My husband died and I kept working (what choice did I have with 2 kids?) and they took back almost all the survivor benefits. Then they act like they're doing you a favor by "recalculating" later. It's OUR MONEY that our spouses paid into the system!!! Why should we be punished for working???

Have you tried calling the SSA directly about your specific situation? When my wife passed, I was in a similar situation (working full-time, not yet at FRA). I tried calling their main number for WEEKS and could never get through - always disconnected or told to call back later. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an SSA agent in under 10 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with was able to run calculations based on my specific earnings and give me actual numbers about how much I would receive after the earnings test reduction. This was SO much more helpful than trying to guess based on the general rules. In my case, it turned out I'd still get about $340/month even with the reduction, which wasn't a lot but definitely worth applying for.

wait im confuse. i thought widows benefits and survivors benefits are different things?? which one are we talking about??

My neighbor told me that if you make too much they take it all away but then after you retire they give you extra to make up for it. Is that the recalculation thing someone mentioned?

Something nobody mentioned yet - make sure to apply for the one-time death benefit of $255! It's not much but it's something. And bring your marriage certificate when you apply for widow benefits - they always ask for that!!

Just wondering - have you checked if your own retirement benefit might actually be higher than your widow benefit? If you've been earning $68k for many years, your own benefit might actually be better than your husband's reduced benefit (since he claimed at 62). In that case, you might want to just wait and claim your own benefit later.

Based on all the advice here, your best approach would be: 1. Apply for widow benefits when you turn 60 (the earliest eligibility age) 2. Understand that much of it will be withheld due to the earnings test while you're working 3. When you reach your Full Retirement Age (probably 67 for you), you'll have a choice: - Continue with widow benefits (which will no longer be reduced for early claiming) - Switch to your own retirement benefit if it's higher This strategy gives you some benefits now and preserves your options for maximizing benefits later. The SSA won't automatically give you the highest benefit - you need to know your options and request the best one for your situation.