Social Security survivor benefits eligibility month confusion - turning 60 in May 2026

Social Security counts whole months, so since you're turning 60 in May, May IS your first month of eligibility for survivor benefits. However, Social Security pays a month behind, so your May benefit would be paid in June. And yes, the earnings test would apply beginning with the month of eligibility (May), not when you receive the payment. The $1,860 monthly earnings limit would apply for any month in 2026 before you reach Full Retirement Age.

my mom went thru this last year. social security only cares about the MONTH u turn 60, not the day. its dumb but thats how they do it.

when I called about my widows benefits they told me the month you turn 60 counts for eligibility but watch out because if you make too much money they'll take back $1 for every $2 over the limit!!!!!

I had a similar situation when filing for survivor benefits. The Social Security office confirmed that eligibility begins the month you turn 60, regardless of the day. But here's something important to know: the earnings test is applied differently depending on whether it's your first year receiving benefits. In the first year, SSA will use a monthly test rather than annual, so you only need to worry about months you actually receive benefits. After that first year, they switch to the annual test. BTW, if you're still trying to reach someone at SSA to confirm this, try using Claimyr.com - it helped me get through to a real person at Social Security after weeks of trying. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

I remember when I turned 60 and filed for my survivor benefits (I'm 63 now). Here's how it worked: I turned 60 on June 21st, so June was my first month of eligibility. I received that June payment at the beginning of July. SSA does pay one month behind. However, there's a quirk with Social Security that most people don't know about - if you were born on the 1st of the month, they actually consider you eligible the month BEFORE you turn 60. But since your birthday is on the 10th, this doesn't apply to you. Regarding the earnings test, yes, it applies starting with your first month of eligibility (May in your case). I suggest keeping detailed records of your earnings by month, especially if you're close to the limit. SSA can and will ask for proof if there are questions.

Wait I'm confused, I thought survivor benefits at 60 were different from retirement? Can someone explain what these are?? My husband passed 2 years ago and I'm 58.

To summarize what others have said and add some additional context: May 2026 is indeed your first month of eligibility for survivor benefits as a widow/widower since you turn 60 that month. The payment for May will arrive in June. Regarding the earnings test: The monthly exempt amount in 2026 is $1,860, and any month you earn over that amount, you wouldn't receive benefits for that month during your first year of entitlement. After the first year, SSA switches to an annual test. One important strategy consideration: Since you're still working, you might want to evaluate whether it makes financial sense to start survivor benefits at 60 or wait until you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA) when the earnings test no longer applies. Taking benefits at 60 means a permanent reduction to 71.5% of the full survivor benefit you would receive at your FRA.

THE SSA WEBSITE IS SO CONFUSING!!! I spent hours trying to figure out the same thing last year and ended up just going to the office in person. They told me you're eligible the month of your birthday no matter what day it falls on. But I also heard they changed some rules recently so who knows???

Regarding your earlier question about switching from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefits at FRA - this can be a smart strategy in many cases. If your own benefit at FRA would be higher than the survivor benefit at FRA, you could take the reduced survivor benefit at 60 and then switch to your own at FRA. Alternatively, you could take your own reduced retirement at 62 and then switch to unreduced survivor benefits at your FRA. The optimal strategy depends on the relative amounts of each benefit. If you haven't already, I'd recommend requesting your Social Security Statement through your my Social Security account online to see your projected retirement benefit amounts.

Just wanted to add one more consideration for your planning - since you mentioned needing to plan your work schedule around the earnings test, remember that the monthly earnings limit of $1,860 applies to gross wages, not net pay. This includes salary, bonuses, commissions, and overtime. However, it does NOT include things like pension payments, investment income, or other non-work income. Also, if you do go over the limit in a particular month, SSA will withhold your entire benefit for that month - they don't prorate it. So if you earn $1,861 in May, you'd lose the entire May benefit payment. This is why some people choose to carefully manage their work hours in the months leading up to and after they start receiving benefits. Good luck with your decision! The timing and strategy around survivor benefits can be complex, but it sounds like you're doing your homework to make the best choice for your situation.

As someone who just went through this process myself (turned 60 last year), I can confirm what others have said - Social Security considers you eligible for the entire month you turn 60, regardless of what day your birthday falls on. So yes, May 2026 will be your first month of eligibility, and you'll be subject to the earnings test starting that month. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can actually apply for survivor benefits up to 4 months before you turn 60. This helps avoid any delays in processing. Also, if you're planning to continue working, consider requesting "direct deposit" for your benefits - it makes tracking the payments easier when you're also managing the earnings test requirements. The strategy discussion about when to take survivor benefits vs your own retirement benefits is really important. I'd suggest using the Social Security website's benefit calculators or even meeting with a financial planner who specializes in Social Security strategies before making your final decision. The difference in lifetime benefits can be substantial depending on your specific situation.

For finding a qualified Social Security planner, look for fee-only financial advisors who hold the RSSA (Registered Social Security Analyst) designation or similar credentials. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) has a directory where you can search for fee-only planners in your area. You can also check the Financial Planning Association (FPA) website. Make sure to ask specifically about their experience with Social Security claiming strategies and survivor benefits - not all financial planners specialize in this area. Some charge a flat fee just for Social Security analysis (usually $500-1500), which might be worth it given the complexity of your situation and the long-term financial impact of the timing decision.

I went through a very similar situation when I turned 60 in 2022. You're correct that May 2026 will be your first month of eligibility since that's when you turn 60, regardless of it being the 10th. The earnings test applies immediately - I learned this the hard way when I earned $2,100 in my first eligible month and lost my entire benefit for that month. One thing I'd add to the great advice here: if you're planning to work past 60, consider asking your employer about flexible scheduling options. Some people negotiate to work 4 days a week or take unpaid time off strategically to stay under the monthly limit. Also, keep very detailed records of your monthly earnings - SSA may ask for documentation later, and having W-2s, pay stubs, and a monthly tracking spreadsheet saved me a lot of headaches during my annual review. The decision between taking survivor benefits at 60 vs waiting really depends on your health, financial needs, and life expectancy assumptions. Since your husband's benefit is significantly higher than your own, maximizing that survivor benefit should probably be your priority. Good luck with your planning!