Social Security earnings limit when switching from survivor to retirement benefits - when does it end?

That's such a relief! The SSA paperwork made it seem like there might be different rules when switching benefit types. So I can continue at my gallery job without worrying about reductions once I switch to my own benefits? I was afraid I might need to wait until 70 to avoid the earnings test completely.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Did you have to provide any special documentation when switching from one benefit to the other? I've calculated that my own retirement benefit should be about $320 more per month than what I'm getting on my husband's record now.

I thought there was a different rule for survivor benefits vs. retirement? My neighbor keeps saying survivor benefits have a different earnings test until age 70. Is that wrong?

Your neighbor is incorrect. The earnings test works exactly the same way for survivor benefits as it does for retirement benefits - it ends completely at your Full Retirement Age (which varies by birth year). After FRA, there is no earnings test for ANY type of Social Security benefit. The confusion might be because there are different rules for WHEN you can claim different benefits and the reduction percentages differ, but the earnings test itself functions identically across benefit types.

I had the same experience trying to call SSA! Waited on hold for over 2 hours just to have them transfer me to someone else who had no idea what I was talking about. It's impossible to get straight answers from them over the phone.

If you're having trouble getting through to Social Security by phone, I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real SSA agent in under 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me so much frustration when I was sorting out my widow's benefits last year. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or their website claimyr.com. It was a lifesaver when I needed to confirm my earnings limit questions!

There's no 'reset' when switching benefit types. Your sister-in-law might be thinking of the special rule for the calendar year in which you reach FRA - where only earnings before the month you reach FRA count toward the earnings test, and the limit is higher ($56,520 in 2024). But since the original poster is already past FRA (age 67), this doesn't apply at all. Once you're past FRA, the earnings test is completely eliminated regardless of which benefit type you receive or switch to.

congrats!! its such a relief when u finally get a straight answer from them. glad u got it figured out!

That's excellent advice I hadn't considered! My gallery recently started offering a 401(k), so I should probably increase my contributions there to reduce my taxable income. Do you know if there are any special tax considerations when switching from survivor to retirement benefits midyear?

Great question about midyear switches. There's no special tax treatment specifically for switching benefit types midyear. The IRS will treat all Social Security benefits the same for tax purposes regardless of whether they came from survivor or retirement benefits. You'll receive one combined SSA-1099 for the year showing your total benefits. However, planning your switch to minimize your overall taxable income for the year is smart financial planning!

Oh my gosh, thank you for mentioning this! I was assuming they would automatically switch me to the higher benefit. I'll make sure to specifically request the change when I call them. Your aunt's experience is a good warning!