Widow benefits while still working - can I claim my husband's SS without reducing my $50k salary?

Survivor benefits work differently than retirement benefits. You can actually claim widow's benefits as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled), but there are some important things to understand: 1. If you claim before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), the benefit amount will be reduced 2. The earnings test DOES apply to survivor benefits if you claim before FRA. For 2025, you can earn up to $22,320 without reduction. Above that, they withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over the limit. 3. Once you reach your FRA, the earnings test goes away completely. You can earn any amount without reduction in benefits. 4. At your FRA, you'd be eligible for 100% of your husband's benefit amount as a survivor benefit. Based on your income of $62,000, claiming before FRA would result in significant benefit reduction or potential suspension until you reach FRA.

I went thru exact same thing when my husband past away!! They make it SO COMPLICATED!!! I was 61 and working full-time making like $48k. When i tried claiming his benefit they said i wuldnt get hardly anything because of the income limits!!! Its such a ripoff! The gov takes all our money and then makes it impossible to get it back.

There's a strategy worth considering in your situation. When you reach your Full Retirement Age, survivor benefits are no longer subject to the earnings test. At that point, you could: 1. Take the survivor benefit (your husband's full benefit amount of $2,750) 2. Continue working at your current salary with no reduction in benefits 3. Allow your own retirement benefit to grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70 4. At 70, if your own benefit has grown larger than the survivor benefit, you can switch to your own. This gives you the best of both worlds - immediate income from survivor benefits at FRA with no penalty for working, while allowing your own benefit to grow to its maximum amount.

EVERYBODY keeps saying wait till FRA but nobody explains how we're supposed to survive until then!!! I'm dealing with a similar thing and the whole system is designed to keep us working until we die. I tried calling SSA to get a straight answer and spent HOURS on hold only to get disconnected 3 times!!!!

Your student loans might actually qualify for forgiveness if you work for a non-profit! Look into Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. My sister got her loans forgiven after 10 years at a non-profit.

I thoght survivers benfits were 75% of what they get? Thats what my frend told me when her husband died last yr.

I really appreciate everyone's help! I think I'm starting to understand this better. So if something happens to my husband, I have options: 1. Claim survivor benefits early but face significant reductions due to both early claiming AND the earnings test 2. Wait until FRA to claim 100% of his benefit with no earnings limit, while still working 3. Potentially delay my own benefit until 70 to maximize it I'm going to try calling SSA to get my specific numbers. Does anyone have tips for actually getting through to a real person there?

One more important point: If your husband passes away, you would be eligible for a one-time death benefit payment of $255 from Social Security. It's not much, but it's something. Also, regarding your student loans - federal student loans are discharged upon death, and there are income-driven repayment plans that could help while you're alive. If you're working for a non-profit, definitely look into PSLF as someone suggested. The survivor benefit rules are complex but designed to provide flexibility. The key decision points are: 1. When to claim (early with reduction vs. FRA with full amount) 2. How your current earnings affect benefits before FRA 3. When/if to switch between survivor benefits and your own retirement benefit A personalized analysis of your exact situation by SSA would be very helpful.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this difficult situation. As someone who recently went through the survivor benefits process, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: First, consider scheduling an appointment at your local SSA office rather than calling. I found the in-person service much more thorough, and they can run scenarios with your actual earnings history right there. Second, keep detailed records of your husband's work history and benefits - you'll need this information when you apply. The SSA can access most of it, but having your own records speeds up the process. One thing that surprised me: if you do claim survivor benefits before FRA and then return to work later, you can actually "withdraw" your application within 12 months and repay what you received. This gives you a one-time do-over if circumstances change. Also, don't forget that as a surviving spouse, you might be eligible for other benefits like reduced property taxes or utility assistance in some states - these aren't SSA programs but can help stretch your budget. The student loan forgiveness suggestion is really important too. At 63 with a nonprofit job, even if you don't get full PSLF, there are other forgiveness programs for older borrowers that might apply. Hang in there - this system is incredibly complex but there are people who can help you navigate it.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation. As someone who works in financial planning, I wanted to add a few points that might help with your decision-making: Given your age (63) and income level ($62k), you're actually in a unique position where waiting until FRA for survivor benefits makes the most financial sense. Here's why: The earnings test reduction is particularly harsh at your income level - you'd lose about $19,840 in annual benefits ($62k - $22,320 = $39,680 over limit ÷ 2 = $19,840 reduction). This would leave you with very little survivor benefit while working. However, your timeline isn't as bad as it might seem. At 63, you're only 4 years from FRA (67 for your birth year). During those 4 years, focus on: 1. Maximizing your current earnings to boost your own SS benefit 2. Paying down that student debt aggressively 3. Building your retirement savings One strategy to consider: if your husband passes before your FRA, you could potentially reduce your work hours or take a lower-paying position temporarily to stay under the earnings limit and claim partial survivor benefits. Then return to full-time work at FRA when the earnings test disappears. Also, don't underestimate how much your own benefit could grow. Working 4 more years at $62k will significantly improve your benefit calculation compared to your previous lower-earning years. You might be surprised at the final number. The PSLF suggestion is crucial - definitely pursue that given your nonprofit employment and debt level.

I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult situation. Having been through the survivor benefits process myself recently, I wanted to share some additional insights that might help. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that you can actually apply for survivor benefits up to 6 months retroactively from when you become eligible. So if your husband passes away and you're not sure about claiming immediately, you have some time to evaluate your financial situation and make the best decision. Also, regarding your student loans - since you mentioned you're 63 and work for a non-profit, you should definitely look into the PSLF program, but also consider that federal student loans have income-driven repayment options that could significantly reduce your monthly payments. At your age, you might also qualify for loan forgiveness after 20-25 years of payments depending on the plan. For your immediate planning, I'd suggest creating a detailed budget that includes what your expenses would look like as a widow. Some costs may decrease (like your husband's medical expenses), while others might increase (like paying for services he currently provides). This will help you determine whether you truly need survivor benefits before FRA or if you can afford to wait. The SSA has a retirement estimator tool online that can help you see how your benefit would grow if you continue working. Given that you're finally earning a good salary after years of struggle, these high-earning years will really help your own benefit calculation. Stay strong - you have more options than it might initially appear.

I wanted to add something that might be helpful regarding your work situation and survivor benefits strategy. Since you mentioned working for a small non-profit with no retirement plan, you might want to ask your employer about setting up a SIMPLE IRA or SEP-IRA. These are relatively easy for small employers to establish and could help you build additional retirement savings during these higher-earning years. Also, regarding the timing of survivor benefits - there's a "deemed filing" rule that's worth understanding. If you're eligible for both survivor benefits and your own retirement benefits when you apply, SSA will generally require you to file for both and give you the higher amount. However, if you're not yet 62 when you become eligible for survivor benefits, you can claim just the survivor benefits and let your own retirement benefit grow until age 70. Given your timeline (you're 63 now), this strategy could work in your favor. If something happens to your husband before you turn 67 (your FRA), you could claim survivor benefits at FRA while continuing to work, and then potentially switch to your own benefit at 70 if it becomes higher due to delayed retirement credits. One more practical tip: when you do contact SSA, ask them to mail you a written benefits estimate showing different claiming scenarios. Having it in writing helps you compare options and makes the complex rules easier to understand and plan around.