Social Security survivors benefits earnings test confusion - is it when I'm paid or when I earned in 2025?

This is actually a common question with survivors benefits! The Social Security Administration counts earnings when they're earned, not when they're paid. So those December 2024 wages that were paid to you in January 2025 don't count toward your 2025 earnings test limit. What matters is when you performed the work. Since you only worked in January 2025 and your actual 2025 earnings are under the limit, you should be fine regarding the earnings test. Just make sure you have documentation showing when the work was performed versus when it was paid. Your employer's payroll records should specify this, and you might need it if SSA questions the earnings.

im pretty sure its when u get paid that counts not when u earned it. my brother had this issue last year with SS and they counted his january pay even tho it was for december work

I went through EXACTLY the same thing when I started my survivor benefits!!! The SSA rep I talked to initially got it completely WRONG and told me it was when I got paid!! I ended up delaying my application by 3 months for NO REASON because of this misinformation!!! It is 100% when you EARNED the money that counts. I had to appeal and prove when I actually did the work vs when I got paid. What a NIGHTMARE dealing with them!!!

I had to bring in my final paystubs which showed the pay periods, plus a letter from my former employer stating exactly which dates I worked. Even then, I spent HOURS on the phone trying to reach someone who could fix it. The worst part was being on hold forever only to get disconnected!

Congrats on your retirement! The rules are so confusing sometimes. My mom just went through something like this last year. Make sure you keep all your paystubs showing the actual dates worked!

The confusion here stems from the difference between SSA rules and IRS rules. For earnings test purposes, Social Security counts income when earned, regardless of when it's paid. However, for tax purposes, the IRS counts income when received. Since you're dealing with survivor benefits and the earnings test, here's what you should know: 1. The 2025 earnings limit for those under FRA is $24,300 2. Only earnings from actual work performed in 2025 count toward this limit 3. The month you reach FRA, the limit increases substantially 4. At full retirement age, there is no earnings limit When you apply, bring documentation showing when the work was performed versus when it was paid. Your employer's payroll records showing the work periods will be helpful. You should also proactively explain this situation when applying, as the claims representative might otherwise only look at your W-2 total for 2025.

Yes, bring those paystubs that show the pay periods. It would also be helpful to get a simple letter from your employer confirming your last day worked was in January 2025. This creates a clear record that your work activity ended then, regardless of when final payments were processed. Additionally, when you apply, make sure the claims representative notes in your file that you've provided documentation showing when the work was performed versus when it was paid. This note in your file can prevent confusion later if questions arise about your earnings.

my cousin says if ur taking survivors benefits early the rules r different than regular retirement benefits just fyi

Listen they count it when earned this is from personal experience! I worked December 2023 but got paid January 2024 and they counted it for 2023 not 2024. Make sure you tell them explicitly about this situation though because sometimes they just look at W2 totals without checking the details.

Has anyone tried the MySocialSecurity online account to check their earnings record? Does it show the correct information about WHEN you earned the money or just the total for the year?? My online account seems to just show yearly totals!!

One additional point that might help others reading this thread: When applying for benefits with earnings test considerations, you can provide SSA with an estimate of your expected earnings for the year. In your case, you would explain that while your W-2 may show a higher amount, your actual 2025 earnings for work performed in 2025 will be under the limit. If you do this at application, they'll process your benefits based on your estimate. Later, when actual earnings are reported, they'll reconcile any differences. Since you have documentation to prove when the work was performed, you should be able to avoid any overpayment issues. This approach is particularly helpful when, like in your situation, there's a clear discrepancy between when work was performed and when it was paid.