Social Security survivor benefits income limits while working at 63 - monthly or annual caps?

For 2025, the annual earnings limit for someone receiving survivor benefits who is under their full retirement age (FRA) is $22,320. If you exceed this limit, SSA will deduct $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. However, there's also a monthly earnings test that applies during your first year of benefits. During this period, you can receive full benefits for any month you earn under $1,860 (the 2025 monthly limit) regardless of your annual total. Regarding your benefit amount, you would receive the higher of either your own benefit or up to 100% of what your husband was receiving when he died. Since he converted from disability to retirement benefits at his FRA, your survivor benefit would be based on his retirement benefit amount.

BE CAREFUL with the earnings limit!! The SSA doesn't always track this in real-time and I ended up with a HUGE overpayment notice of $4,600 last year because I didn't report my earnings properly. They only found out when my tax return was processed and then demanded all the money back AT ONCE!! They don't automatically track your monthly or annual earnings - it's YOUR responsibility to report any changes. Don't make my mistake!!!

I went through this exact situation last year! After many frustrating attempts to reach SSA by phone, I discovered a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to a live agent without the endless waiting. Check out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I finally spoke with someone, they explained that for survivor benefits while working, it's best to report your expected earnings at the beginning of the year and then update them quarterly to avoid surprises. They'll set up a schedule that works with your specific situation. The agent I spoke with really took time to explain both the earnings test and how my husband's benefit history affected my survivor amount.

my aunt got survivor benefits and she said they look at your W2 at the end of the year for the limit thing. but she had to pay back like $2000 once when she worked extra shifts as a nurse and forgot to tell them. i think its all annual but im not sure

To directly answer your questions: 1. The earnings limit is technically annual ($22,320 for 2025), but there is a monthly grace period provision during the first year you receive benefits. During that first year, you can receive benefits for any month your earnings are under the monthly limit ($1,860) regardless of annual total. After that first year, only the annual limit applies. 2. Your survivor benefit calculation is based on several factors: - If your husband was already receiving retirement benefits when he died, your survivor benefit would be based on that amount - The fact that he converted from disability to retirement at his FRA means your benefit would be based on his retirement benefit amount, which is the same as his disability amount plus any COLAs - You can take reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60, with a reduction of about 0.396% per month before your FRA I recommend requesting your deceased husband's Social Security Statement to see his exact benefit amount. This will help you calculate what you're eligible for. You can also use the calculator on SSA.gov to estimate your survivor benefit.

I just went through this whole process last year. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that if you're planning to claim your OWN retirement benefits later, you should definitely look into the "restricted application" strategy. You can take SURVIVOR benefits now at 63 (with earnings limit and reduction) and then switch to your OWN retirement benefit later when you reach 70 if it would be higher. The earnings limit goes away when you hit your FRA too. I did this and it worked out well for me, getting some income earlier while letting my own benefit grow until 70.

Regarding your question about how SSA tracks the earnings limit - they don't proactively monitor your monthly earnings. You need to estimate your earnings for the year when you apply, and then report any changes that would put you over the limit. For the monthly earnings test in your first year of benefits, you need to specifically request this calculation by contacting SSA and providing proof of your monthly earnings. They won't automatically apply the monthly test - the default is the annual test. And yes, when you apply for survivor benefits, you should explicitly discuss your long-term claiming strategy with the representative, especially if you plan to switch to your own retirement benefit later. Get the estimates for both benefits so you can make an informed decision about when to switch.

my moms on survivors benefits and she said if u make too much in even ONE month they can take away benefits for that month!! its super confusing and the SS people never explain it right

I remember when I applied for benefits last year the SSA person told me something about a "special rule" for the first year you get benefits where they look at your monthly earnings instead of yearly. Maybe ask about that specifically when you talk to them?

I'm sorry for your loss, Ethan. Navigating survivor benefits while grieving can be overwhelming, especially with SSA's phone system being so difficult to reach. One important detail that hasn't been fully addressed yet: since you're 63, you're past the earliest age for survivor benefits (60) but still under your full retirement age. This means your survivor benefit will be reduced by approximately 19% from the full amount. However, this reduction is permanent - it won't increase when you reach your FRA like your own retirement benefits would. Given your husband's benefit history (SSDI converting to retirement at his FRA), your survivor benefit would indeed be based on 100% of what he was receiving at death, minus the early claiming reduction. If he was receiving delayed retirement credits past his FRA, those would be included too. For your work situation with variable retail hours, I'd strongly recommend keeping detailed monthly earnings records and reporting quarterly to SSA. The earnings test can be tricky with seasonal work, but being proactive about reporting changes can help you avoid the overpayment situations others have mentioned. Also consider whether waiting until your FRA (around 66-67) might make more sense if your own retirement benefit could be higher - you'd have more flexibility with earnings limits too.

You can get estimates of your own retirement benefits at different claiming ages by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Your annual Social Security Statement will show projected benefits at age 62, full retirement age, and age 70. This will help you compare whether taking reduced survivor benefits now versus waiting for potentially higher retirement benefits later makes financial sense. Another consideration: if you do take survivor benefits now, you're not locked into that decision forever. You have what's called a "do-over" option within 12 months of first receiving benefits - you can withdraw your application, repay what you've received, and reapply later. There's also the strategy others mentioned of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit at 70 if it would be higher. Given your retail work with seasonal variations, I'd also suggest asking SSA about setting up quarterly reporting when you apply. This way you can adjust your estimated earnings throughout the year and avoid surprises. Some field offices are better about explaining these options than the phone system, so if you have a local SSA office, an in-person appointment might be worth trying. The fact that you're thinking through all these angles shows you're approaching this thoughtfully despite a difficult situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. Dealing with survivor benefits while grieving is incredibly challenging, and SSA's phone system certainly doesn't make it any easier. Since you're 63, you're eligible for survivor benefits but they'll be permanently reduced by about 19% since you're claiming before your full retirement age. This is different from your own retirement benefits, which would increase if you waited until your FRA or even age 70. Regarding the earnings limit, it's $22,320 annually for 2025. However, there's a "first year rule" that allows you to use monthly limits ($1,860 per month) during your first calendar year of receiving benefits. This can be really helpful with your variable retail income - you'd get full benefits for any month you earn under the monthly threshold, regardless of your annual total. But you need to specifically request this calculation from SSA. Given your husband's benefit history (SSDI converting to retirement at FRA), your survivor benefit would be based on his retirement amount. However, you might want to compare this to what your own retirement benefit would be at age 70. You can check this on your my Social Security account online. One strategy to consider: take survivor benefits now (with the earnings limit considerations) and potentially switch to your own retirement benefit at 70 if it would be higher. This way you get some income now while letting your own benefit grow. I'd recommend trying to visit your local SSA office in person rather than dealing with the phone system. Bring all your documentation and be specific about requesting the monthly earnings test for your first year if you decide to apply.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Ethan. This is such a difficult time to have to navigate these complex benefit decisions. From what I understand, you have a couple of key advantages in your situation that might help with the earnings limit concerns. Since you're 63 and this would be your first year claiming survivor benefits, you can definitely request the monthly earnings test during that first calendar year. This means you'd receive full benefits for any month you earn under $1,860, regardless of your total annual earnings. Given that you work in retail with seasonal fluctuations, this monthly test could be really beneficial. For example, if you have slower months where you earn under the monthly limit, you'd get your full survivor benefit those months even if your busy season puts you over the annual limit later. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - when you visit your local SSA office (which I agree is much better than the phone), ask them to run scenarios for you. They can show you exactly what your survivor benefit would be at 63, what your own retirement benefit would be at different ages (62, FRA, 70), and help you map out the optimal claiming strategy. Also, make sure to ask about how they handle the transition if you later want to switch from survivor benefits to your own retirement benefit. Getting this all documented upfront can save confusion later. You're asking all the right questions and thinking this through carefully during an incredibly difficult time. Wishing you the best with whatever decision feels right for your situation.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. Having to navigate these complex benefit decisions while grieving is incredibly difficult, and the SSA phone system certainly doesn't help. I wanted to add one important point that might affect your decision timing: if you're considering the strategy of taking survivor benefits now and switching to your own retirement benefit later, keep in mind that survivor benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits. So the reduction you face at 63 (about 19%) is permanent for the survivor benefit, but your own retirement benefit would continue growing by about 8% per year until age 70. This makes the comparison even more important. If your own retirement benefit at 70 would be significantly higher than the reduced survivor benefit you'd get now, it might be worth running the numbers to see if waiting or doing the "claim now, switch later" strategy makes the most financial sense. Also, regarding your retail work with variable hours - when you do visit your local SSA office, ask specifically about how they handle seasonal workers for earnings reporting. Some offices have experience helping people in similar situations set up reporting schedules that work with irregular income patterns. You're being very thoughtful about this complex decision during an already overwhelming time. The fact that you're researching thoroughly and asking the right questions will serve you well. Best of luck with your SSA appointment!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ethan. Navigating survivor benefits while grieving is incredibly challenging, especially with SSA's difficult phone system. Based on your situation at 63, here are the key points to consider: **Earnings Limits for 2025:** - Annual limit: $22,320 (they deduct $1 for every $2 over this amount) - Monthly limit during first year: $1,860 per month (you get full benefits for any month under this threshold) - You MUST specifically request the monthly calculation - it's not automatic **Your Benefit Amount:** Since your husband converted from SSDI to retirement at his FRA (66), your survivor benefit would be based on his retirement amount. However, claiming at 63 means a permanent reduction of about 19% from the full survivor benefit amount. **Strategy Consideration:** Given your retail work with variable income, the monthly earnings test during your first year could be very beneficial for seasonal fluctuations. You might also want to explore taking reduced survivor benefits now while letting your own retirement benefit grow until age 70 (earning 8% per year in delayed credits), then switching if your own benefit becomes higher. **Next Steps:** 1. Visit your local SSA office in person (much better than phone) 2. Request benefit projections for both survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits at different claiming ages 3. Ask specifically about quarterly earnings reporting for seasonal workers 4. Bring all documentation including your husband's benefit information The community here has given excellent advice. Having all these details will help you make an informed decision during your SSA appointment.