Social Security earnings limit question - will husband's income affect my early retirement benefits?

Good news! The earnings test only applies to YOUR earnings, not your husband's. The test looks at wages or self-employment income you personally earn. Your husband's earnings won't affect your benefits at all, no matter how much he makes. Just make sure you stay under the annual earnings limit for yourself (which will be around $22,320 in 2025 for those under FRA). If you're only making $9,000, you're well under the limit and won't have any benefits withheld.

Are you sure about this????? Because when I applied for SS last year they asked for my tax returns and my husband makes WAY more than me and they reduced my payment!!!! The SSA lady told me it was because our HOUSEHOLD income was too high. I'm still fighting with them about it!!

My situation was just like yours! I started SS at 62 and hubby was still working. My benefits weren't reduced because of his income. Only what *I* earned counted toward the limit. As long as YOU stay under the yearly earnings limit, you're good. But remember they do count YOUR gross earnings, not after-tax.

The answers above are correct - your husband's earnings won't count toward the earnings test that might reduce your Social Security. However, there's an important distinction many people miss: 1. Earnings Test: Only YOUR earnings count (your $9,000 is well below the limit) 2. Taxation of Benefits: This IS affected by joint income on your tax return So while you won't have benefits withheld due to the earnings test, up to 85% of your benefits might be subject to income tax because your combined income will likely exceed the thresholds for taxation of Social Security benefits. This doesn't reduce your benefit amount, but it does affect how much you keep after taxes.

my sister had this same problem and they took her benefits because her husband made to much! call SSA and ask them directly dont listen to ppl here

I've been trying to get through to SSA for weeks about a similar question and keep getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a rep in 20 minutes after weeks of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed what others have said - the earnings test only applies to the beneficiary's earned income, not their spouse's. Your husband's $75k won't affect your benefits amount at all. Your $9k is well under the limit.

Everybody here is talking about the earnings limit but nobody mentioned that once you reach full retirement age, the earnings limit goes away completely! So if you decide to work more later, you can earn as much as you want without any reduction once you hit your FRA.

Make sure you understand that the $22,320 limit in 2025 is the ANNUAL limit!!! I messed up because I thought it was monthly and ended up having to pay back a bunch of money! So frustrating!!!!

just fyi when you say youll get $1900 remember that medicare part b will come out of that so youll actually get less in your bank account

Just wanted to share another perspective as someone who went through this exact situation 2 years ago! The key thing to remember is that Social Security has very specific rules about what counts as "earnings" for the earnings test. It's only wages from employment or net earnings from self-employment that YOU personally receive. Investment income, pensions, rental income, and yes - your spouse's earnings - don't count toward the limit at all. So your husband could make $200k and it wouldn't affect your benefits under the earnings test. The confusion often comes from people mixing up the earnings test (which affects benefit payments) with the taxation of benefits (which looks at combined income). Two totally different things! With your $9k part-time income, you're in great shape.

I just want to echo what others have said and add one more reassurance - I'm a retired SSA employee and can confirm that the earnings test is 100% individual. Your husband's income has absolutely no bearing on your Social Security retirement benefits under the earnings test rules. The system literally only looks at YOUR Form W-2 or 1099 earnings when determining if any benefits should be withheld. Even if you filed separate tax returns, it wouldn't change this - spouse income is simply not a factor in the earnings test calculation. Your $9,000 annual earnings puts you well below the 2025 limit of approximately $22,320, so you won't have any benefits withheld. Just make sure to report any changes in your work situation to SSA if your earnings increase significantly. You're all set!