Conflicting SS survivor benefit advice - income limits with FRA confusion?

The confusion stems from how SSA applies two different FRAs for survivor benefits. For survivor benefits, the earnings test uses YOUR survivor FRA, not your retirement FRA. So if your survivor FRA is December 2025, then for 2025 you're in your FRA year for earnings test purposes. That means the higher earnings limit of approximately $62,000 should apply for 2025. The first SSA rep was correct. The lower earnings limit of $23,400 would not apply since you're in your FRA year. For self-employment income, SSA looks at your net earnings from self-employment (Line 3 of Schedule SE after applying the 92.35% factor). It's not the gross income but your net profit after business expenses.

ya ive heard so many diffrent things from SS ppl too. one day they tell u one thing and next time its something else. super annoying!!! u might try calling again and hope u get someone who knows the rules better, thats what i did

I went through this exact situation last year. The earnings test for survivor benefits uses your survivor FRA, not your regular retirement FRA. It's clearly stated in SSA's POMS section GN 02602.020. The higher annual exempt amount (the ~$62,000 figure) applies for the entire calendar year in which you reach your survivor FRA, even if that's in December. And yes, unfortunately you cannot apply for survivor benefits online - must be done by phone or in-person appointment. For self-employment income, it's your net earnings that count (Schedule SE, line 3). But be aware they may ask for monthly breakdowns if you're close to the limit, as they apply the earnings test monthly in the year you claim.

My sister had same prob with diff answers from SS. she ended up using Claimyr.com to reach an actual SSA agent after trying for days. They got her through to someone who knew the rules right away. The video on https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU shows how it works. She said it was worth it to finally get a knowledgeable person who explained everything clearly and put notes in her file so future reps wouldn't give conflicting info.

Anyone who tells you that your regular FRA matters for survivor benefit earnings test is WRONG! I dealt with this last year. Here's the exact rule: the earnings test for survivor benefits is based on the survivor FRA only. If you reach your survivor FRA in 2025, then for ALL of 2025 you get the higher earnings limit (about $62K). SSA Publication No. 05-10069 specifically addresses this. I've learned you have to be your own advocate with SSA because many reps don't understand the nuances between retirement and survivor benefits. Bring this publication to your appointment: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10069.pdf And yes, for self-employment it's your net earnings after expenses that count, not gross income.

My husban passed 3 yrs ago and I had same issues with SS. they kept telling me difernt things about how much i could earn. its so confusing!!!!

THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I HATE DEALING WITH SSA!!! Every rep tells you something different. I spent THREE MONTHS trying to get my survivor benefits straightened out because every person I talked to gave different answers. The system is BROKEN and they expect us to just figure it out ourselves?!?! And don't even get me started on their ridiculous earnings limits. Why are they punishing people who NEED to work to survive?? It's maddening.

To follow up on your specific situation: since your survivor FRA is December 2025, you're in your FRA year for ALL of 2025. That means: 1) The higher earnings limit (~$62,000) applies for all of 2025 2) Benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 you earn above that limit 3) Only earnings through November count (month before FRA) 4) Starting December 2025, NO earnings limits apply at all Print out the POMS reference (GN 02602.020) that specifically states the survivor FRA is used for the earnings test, not your retirement FRA. This will help if you get resistance from a rep who doesn't understand the distinction.

One more important point: make sure to schedule an appointment specifically for survivor benefits rather than retirement benefits. When you call, be very clear this is for survivor benefits. This increases your chances of speaking with someone familiar with the specific rules. Pro tip: Call early in the morning right when they open (usually 9am local time) to minimize wait times. Have your documents ready: your ID, marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, both your Social Security numbers, and your recent tax return if you're self-employed. Typically, survivor benefit applications take 2-4 weeks to process if you have all documentation ready.