Social Security survivor benefits and earnings limit confusion after FRA in 2025

The earnings limit only applies until you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA). So in your case, you'd be subject to the earnings limit from March through August 2025, but starting in September 2025 when you reach your FRA, the earnings limit goes away completely regardless of how much you earn. Since you're working and making $48,000, you should know that for 2025, the earnings limit for people under FRA is about $22,320 for the full year (they adjust it annually). But since you're reaching FRA during 2025, they'll use a higher monthly limit for the months before you reach FRA. You're allowed to earn roughly $59,520 for the months prior to reaching your FRA in September. If you exceed that amount, they'll withhold $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above the limit. Hope this helps! Make sure to clarify this with the SSA representative during your upcoming appointment.

i had this same thing happen after my husband died!! they took ALOT of my survivors checks because i was still working. its so confusing bc they told me different things each time i called. glad your asking this before you start taking it!!

To answer your follow-up question - yes, when you reach FRA, SSA will recalculate your benefit and give you credit for the months they withheld benefits due to the earnings test. They don't pay you back in a lump sum, but they increase your monthly benefit amount going forward. So you do eventually recover those withheld benefits through a higher monthly payment after FRA. Also, it's worth noting that only your wages from employment or net earnings from self-employment count toward the earnings limit. Investment income, pension payments, government benefits, etc. don't count against you. Make sure you understand how they'll calculate the 2025 earnings test since you're starting benefits partway through the year. They'll use a monthly test amount for the months you're entitled to benefits before reaching FRA.

I spent HOURS trying to get through to someone at Social Security about a similar survivor benefits situation last year. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a representative in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I'd recommend using it for your appointment next week - when dealing with these earnings limit questions, you need to make sure you actually get through to someone who can explain everything clearly. The survivor benefits rules are complicated enough without playing phone tag with SSA for days.

sorry about ur wife. when my husband passed i waited till my fra to get survivor benefits so i didnt have to deal with earning limit headache. if u can wait till september it might be easier than dealing with all the math and maybe getting overpayments.

One more thing - since your FRA for survivor benefits is September 2025, taking them in March 2025 means you'll receive a reduced benefit amount (about 6 months of reduction). Have you calculated whether it might be better financially to either: 1) Wait until your FRA in September to get 100% of your wife's benefit, or 2) Take your own retirement benefit early (at 62) and then switch to the survivor benefit at your FRA? The optimal strategy depends on your own earnings record compared to your wife's, and your long-term life expectancy. Sometimes it's better to take the smaller benefit first, then switch to the larger one later.

the social security people told me if you earn too much and they take back ur survivor payment they dont actually take the check back, they just say u owe them money later. got sent a letter saying i owed $4700 cuz i made too much while getting survivor benefits. so frustratig and confusin!!!!

If you're concerned about exceeding the earnings limit, you can proactively contact SSA to adjust your benefits. You can estimate your expected earnings for the year and ask them to withhold benefits accordingly. This prevents you from receiving an overpayment notice later. Also, there's a special rule for the first year you claim benefits: the monthly earnings test. Even if you earn more than the annual limit, you can receive full benefits for any month you earn below the monthly limit ($1,860 in 2025) and are considered retired. This might help if you can structure your consulting work to have some lower-income months.

My sister went thru this last year. Make sure u bring pay stubs to ur appointment! They want proof of income. And double-check everything they tell u because different reps told her different things every time she called. The whole process was a nightmare for her.

Random question nobody's addressed yet - did they tell you WHY you can't start survivor benefits until March if your wife passed in August? There's usually only a short waiting period for survivor benefits, like one month after death. Just wondering if they're making you wait unnecessarily! The SSA is notorious for giving incorrect information about when you can apply.