Social Security survivor benefits earnings test - counted when earned or when paid?

Social Security counts earnings when they're earned, not when they're paid. So if you worked in December 2024 but get paid in January 2025, those earnings count for 2024's annual earnings limit. This is different from how they handle taxes (where it's when you receive the money). Overtime is counted just like regular wages toward the earnings limit. For 2025, if you're under your Full Retirement Age the whole year, you can earn up to about $22,320 before they start withholding benefits ($1 for every $2 over the limit). Keep good records of exactly when you earned the money. If you're close to the limit, you might want to consider limiting hours in certain months.

i went thru this last year with survivor benefits. they absolutely count it when EARNED not paid. its confusing bc taxes go by when paid but SSA goes by when earned. tripped me up BAD last year cause i worked lots in december thinking it would count for new year when i got paid jan 3. ended up having to pay back some benefits

The Social Security Administration is very specific about counting earnings when earned, not when paid. This is outlined in their Program Operations Manual System (POMS) guidelines. As a survivor benefit recipient who's under Full Retirement Age, you're subject to the Annual Earnings Test. For 2025, the exempt amount is approximately $22,320. If you exceed this, SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above that limit. Importantly, if this is your first year receiving benefits, SSA applies a monthly test rather than annual, which might be more favorable in your situation since you only started receiving in September.

Yes, there's a Monthly Earnings Test that applies in the calendar year you first become entitled to benefits. For 2025, the monthly exempt amount would be approximately $1,860 (1/12 of the annual exempt amount). This means in your first year receiving benefits, you can get your full benefit for any month you earn under that monthly amount, regardless of your annual total. This is particularly helpful for people who had high earnings before they started collecting benefits. After your first calendar year on benefits, only the annual test applies going forward.

I had the exact same question when I started my survior benefits! The SSA phone line was impossible - kept me on hold for 2+ hours then disconnected. In my experience they definitely count when earned, not paid. Also, be careful with things like bonuses and vacation pay - those count too! I think commission also counts when earned, not when paid out, which can get complicated.

It's not an official SSA service, it's a private company that helps you get through to government agencies faster. I was skeptical too but it worked perfectly when I needed to sort out my deceased father's benefits. It saved me from having to take a day off work just to sit on hold.

To clarify the earlier discussion about the Monthly Earnings Test: The commenter was correct that the monthly test only applies for the calendar year you first become entitled to benefits. Since you started receiving in September 2024, the monthly test would only apply for the remainder of 2024. For 2025, you'll be subject to the regular annual earnings test of approximately $22,320 if you're under Full Retirement Age for the entire year. This is why it's important to know that December 2024 work paid in January 2025 counts toward your 2024 earnings total.

also dont forget they only count WAGES and SELF-EMPLOYMENT toward the limit!! investment income, pensions, etc DONT count against the earnings test. that really helped me maximize my survivors check