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.