Social Security survivor benefits income limits after FRA - do they last forever?

Good news! Once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), there is NO earnings limit whatsoever. You can earn $1 million and your survivor benefits won't be reduced at all. The $59,000 figure you mentioned might be from a different context - perhaps related to taxation of benefits, but it's definitely not an earnings limit after FRA. Until you reach FRA in 2026, you'll need to stay under that $23,400 annual limit (which adjusts each year with COLA) or face a reduction of $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. But after that - work as much as you want!

ya i think your mixing up the earnings test (which goes away at FRA) with something else. maybe taxation?? SS benefits are taxed if your combined income is over certain amts but thats different than the earnings limit

The previous responses are correct - there is absolutely NO earnings limit after you reach Full Retirement Age. The earnings limit only applies before FRA. What you might be thinking of is the taxation thresholds for Social Security benefits: - If your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of SS benefits) exceeds $25,000 for individuals or $32,000 for couples, up to 50% of your benefits may be taxable - If combined income exceeds $34,000 for individuals or $44,000 for couples, up to 85% of benefits may be taxable But this is about taxation, not benefit reduction. You'll still receive your full survivor benefit regardless of earnings after FRA.

I had EXACTLY the same confusion last year!!! I was so worried about the income limits after FRA that I almost turned down a great part-time job. The SSA website is SO confusing on this. When I finally got through to someone at the office, they confirmed what others are saying - after FRA there is NO LIMIT to what you can earn while collecting benefits. BTW, I totally understand the burnout. I was a dental hygienist for 30 years and just couldn't do it anymore. Working at a plant nursery now and my back/hands/brain are all much happier!!!

Just to give you a different perspective on your work situation - have you considered keeping your accounting business but drastically reducing your client list? Maybe just keep 3-4 of your best clients and refer the rest elsewhere? This would let you keep the higher hourly rate of accounting while reducing stress. Just a thought!

congrats on your upcoming FRA! my wife collects SSDI and we've been dealing with these earning limits for years its so frustrating. i think they should just get rid of ALL earning limits even before FRA it makes no sense

If you need to confirm anything about your specific situation, good luck getting through to SSA by phone. I spent TWO WEEKS trying to reach someone about my survivor benefits question, constantly getting disconnected or waiting on hold for hours. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to SSA in under 15 minutes! They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - totally worth it for peace of mind. The agent confirmed exactly what others here are saying - no earnings limit after FRA.

One additional point that might help you plan: even though there's no earnings limit after FRA, if you're thinking of switching to a W-2 job (like at a garden center or bookstore), remember they'll still withhold Social Security taxes from your paycheck. This doesn't affect your survivor benefits, but it's something to consider in your budget planning. If you're self-employed now, you're used to paying both halves of Social Security tax (12.4%) through self-employment tax. In a W-2 job, you'll pay half (6.2%) and your employer pays the other half.

Just wanted to add one more reassuring data point - I'm currently 69 and collecting survivor benefits while working part-time at a local library. I earn about $35,000 a year and there's absolutely no reduction in my benefits. The freedom after FRA is real! Also, regarding your career change plans - I made a similar transition from high-stress work (banking) to something more peaceful at age 68. The mental health benefits have been incredible. Garden centers and bookstores sound lovely! You've got so many great options once you hit FRA next year.

I'm so glad to see this question being asked! As someone who recently went through this same confusion, I want to emphasize what everyone else has confirmed - there is absolutely NO earnings limit after Full Retirement Age for survivor benefits. I was in a similar boat last year, worried about transitioning from my stressful career while on survivor benefits. The SSA representatives I spoke with were very clear: once you hit FRA, you can earn any amount without affecting your survivor benefits. The only consideration is potential taxation of those benefits if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds, but that's completely separate from benefit reduction. Your plan to transition to something less stressful like a garden center or bookstore sounds wonderful. I made a similar change and the peace of mind has been incredible. You're so close to that FRA date in June 2026 - hang in there! The financial freedom that comes with no earnings restrictions will give you so many more options for your next chapter.