Why is SS asking for last year's income for spousal benefits starting now? Will my 2024 Schedule C delay my payments?

They ask about last year's income because they're trying to determine if you'll be subject to the earnings test. Since you're under FRA, Social Security has limits on how much you can earn while collecting benefits. For 2025, I believe the limit is around $23,000 before they start withholding benefits. If you only made $850 last year, you're well under the threshold and shouldn't worry. When you send in your Schedule C, your benefits will be processed, and yes, you WILL get paid retroactively to January (your filing date). The SSA is just covering their bases by verifying your income.

same thing happened to me but with w2 income they wanted. took forever to get approved but i did get all my back pay from when i first applied 👍

The SSA is absolutely ridiculous with their requirements sometimes!! They KNOW your 2024 Schedule C isn't available yet, but they still demand it! This is why people get so frustrated with them. You have two options: 1) Wait until you file your taxes and send the Schedule C, which WILL delay your benefits but you'll get retroactive payments, or 2) Call them and explain the situation to see if they'll accept something else like bank statements or 1099s. GOOD LUCK getting through on the phone though. I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone about my survivors benefits last month. Kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours!

Be careful about the earnings test! If you're planning to earn income in 2025 while collecting spousal benefits before your FRA, they'll reduce your benefits $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. That's probably why they're asking. For your Schedule C issue, submit your application now anyway and include a note explaining you'll provide the Schedule C as soon as your taxes are filed. They should process your claim with that understanding, but your first payment might be delayed. However, benefits will be paid retroactively to your application month (January). Also, make sure you understand how taking spousal benefits before your FRA permanently reduces the amount. Have you compared what you'd get by waiting until FRA?

wait i'm confused about something. are you getting spousal benefits based on your own spouse's record? or are these widow benefits? cause those are different programs i think. my mom got widow benefits and didn't have to send in any income proof so maybe you applied for the wrong thing??

When I applied for my benefits I had the same problem but with W2 income instead of self-employment. Called and called for weeks and couldn't get through to anyone. My daughter finally helped me figure out I could upload a note to my mySSA account explaining I'd send the tax documents once I had them. My claim was still delayed about 6 weeks but I did eventually get all my back pay from my application date. The worst part was not knowing if I was doing the right thing or if my application was just sitting there ignored. The lack of communication from SSA is really stressful.

To clarify for everyone: YES, the earnings test applies to ALL Social Security benefits taken before FRA - retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits. The 2025 limit is $22,320 if you're under FRA the whole year. They withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above that limit. For the original poster: Since you earned so little last year and presumably will earn a similar amount this year, this won't affect you. But the SSA needs to verify that with documentation, hence the Schedule C request. You should be able to call and explain you don't have the Schedule C yet. They may accept alternative documentation or place a note on your record. And yes, once approved, you'll receive retroactive benefits to your application date.

Just out of curiosity, have you considered waiting until your FRA to claim spousal benefits? The reduction for claiming early can be substantial - up to 35% less if you claim at 62 vs. FRA. Each year you wait, the monthly amount increases. Of course, there's the trade-off of getting smaller checks sooner versus larger checks later.