Social Security Disabled Widow benefits change at age 62? Need clarity on work limits

This is a complicated situation with disabled widow benefits. Here's what you need to know: 1. At age 60-65, widow benefits are reduced based on how early you take them before your FRA (full retirement age). 2. Since you took disabled widow benefits at 51, you're getting a special rate. When you reach FRA (probably 67 for you), you'll get 100% of your deceased husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). 3. For earnings limits: Until FRA, there's an earnings test. For 2025, you can earn about $22,750 without penalty. After FRA, NO earnings limit applies. 4. You'll automatically convert from disabled widow to regular widow benefits, but the amount typically stays the same. I'd recommend getting an appointment with a Technical Expert at your local office who specializes in survivor benefits - regular claims reps often get this wrong.

I lost my husbend when i was 53 and got the widows disability to. Im 64 now and they switched me to regular widows benefits at 60. My payment didnt change AT ALL. But now I can work more and the limit is different. DONT let them tell you different stuff! Get it in writing!!!

Hi there - let me try to provide some clarity on your disabled widow's benefit questions: 1. Benefits percentage: Your disabled widow benefit will convert to a regular widow benefit, but your payment amount typically remains the same. However, at your Full Retirement Age (likely 67), you'll receive 100% of your husband's benefit amount. 2. Unlimited earnings: After you reach your Full Retirement Age, you can earn unlimited income without affecting your Social Security benefits. Until then, the 2025 earnings limit applies (approximately $22,750/year). 3. Increased payment: If your disabled widow benefit was reduced because you claimed early, you'll get an increase when you reach your FRA. 4. Type of benefit: The system automatically converts you from disabled widow to regular widow benefits, but this is primarily an administrative change - your payment typically continues seamlessly. I strongly recommend requesting a written explanation of your specific situation from SSA. The rules for widow benefits are complex, and many representatives don't deal with them often enough to be experts.

Trying to contact SSA to get these questions answered can be SO frustrating! I had a similar issue with confusing answers about my widows benefits. I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 5 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I got through to a knowledgeable person, I learned that at Full Retirement Age, the earnings test no longer applies regardless of which benefit you're receiving. The rep explained my widow transition clearly and even sent me a follow-up letter confirming everything. Worth considering if you're still getting nowhere with regular calls.

my mom went thru this!!! she was on widow disability then turned 60 and got regular widow benefits. she still couldnt earn much $ until she hit full retirement age (66 for her). Benefits stayed about the same $ amount til FRA when she got more. SSA is the WORST with giving different answers evrytime u call!!!

One additional point since you mentioned being self-employed: self-employment income is counted differently for the earnings test than regular W-2 income. For self-employed people, SSA looks at both your income AND your work activity. Even if you keep your earnings under the limit, if you're working significant hours in self-employment, they might still apply deductions. After FRA though, this all becomes irrelevant since there's no earnings test at all. You can earn any amount without reduction to your benefits.

I think most people here are missing something CRUCIAL. When you reach FRA (Full Retirement Age), you should contact SSA to see if you qualify for a HIGHER benefit based on your OWN work record! Even with limited self-employment, you've been earning credits all these years. It's POSSIBLE (not guaranteed) that your own retirement benefit might be higher than your widow's benefit at FRA. SSA is SUPPOSED to automatically give you whichever is higher, but MANY times they miss this! You should request a benefit calculation based on BOTH scenarios when you approach FRA. And YES, after FRA you can earn UNLIMITED income with no benefit reduction. This is true for ALL types of Social Security benefits.

My sister went thru the disabled widow to regular benefits transition. She said everything stayed the same payment-wise, but the rules about working changed. I think each case is different though based on when you started receiving benefits and your age.