Will Social Security reimburse survivor benefit earnings penalties when I switch to retirement at 70?

This is a good question about how the Social Security earnings test works! When you reach full retirement age (FRA), which is age 66 for those born between 1943-1954, the earnings limit no longer applies. The deductions you experienced were because you were receiving survivor benefits before your FRA while still working. Here's the important part: SSA does NOT reimburse those specific deductions from your survivor benefits when you switch to retirement benefits. Those deductions are essentially permanent for the survivor benefit payments. However, the earnings that caused those deductions are still credited to your earnings record, which might slightly increase your own retirement benefit calculation when you claim at 70. So while you don't get direct reimbursement of the withheld survivor benefits, your own benefit might be slightly higher. Your strategy to switch at 70 makes perfect sense to maximize your retirement benefit with delayed retirement credits!

been there done this!!! dont believe everything ss tells u on phone, my sister got TOTALLY diffrent info from 2 diff ppl at ssa. The money they took from ur survivors is GONE, they dont give it back when u switch!!!! But ya the work years still count 4 ur record. Just make sure when u do file at 70 u check ur earnings record first online, mine had a missing year and took MONTHS to fix!!!!!!

Same boat - got survivor benefits after husband died, kept working, had deductions. Switched to my own at 68 (not 70). The withheld money doesn't come back but at least the earnings count for your calculation. Still worth working though. You're smart to wait till 70!

You've received some good information already, but I'd like to add some technical clarification since this is a common misunderstanding about how the Annual Earnings Test (AET) works with different benefit types. When benefits are withheld due to the earnings test while receiving survivor benefits, those specific funds are not returned when you switch to retirement benefits. However, there is an important adjustment that happens: 1. The months where your survivor benefits were fully withheld due to work aren't counted as months you received a survivor benefit 2. This can sometimes result in a higher survivor benefit amount if you choose to return to survivor benefits later (though in your case, your own retirement benefit at 70 will likely be higher) 3. Your own retirement benefit calculation includes credits for all earnings, including those that caused the earnings test reduction The confusion often comes because with retirement benefits (not survivor benefits), there is a recalculation at Full Retirement Age that essentially pays back the withheld benefits over your lifetime. This does not apply to survivor benefits that were reduced. Your strategy to switch at 70 is financially sound since your retirement benefit will include the maximum delayed retirement credits (32% increase over your FRA amount).

I had EXACTLY the same issue and spent HOURS on the phone with Social Security trying to get clear answers. It was absolutely maddening - kept getting disconnected or told different things each time. After my fifth attempt to get someone knowledgeable on the phone, I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in under 10 minutes. Saved me hours of frustration with the busy signals and disconnects. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I finally spoke with confirmed what others here are saying - those deductions from survivor benefits don't get reimbursed when you switch. It's frustrating but at least I finally got a definitive answer from someone who actually knew the rules.

SO FRUSTRATING how the SSA gives different answers depending who you talk to!!! I've dealt with them for YEARS and still get confused. I think what happens is SOME of the reps confuse the retirement benefit earnings test (which DOES adjust your benefit later) with the SURVIVOR benefit earnings test (which DOESN'T give you back the money). The whole system is designed to PUNISH people who keep working! Why should we be PENALIZED just because we choose to CONTRIBUTE to society by working???!!! Makes me SO ANGRY every time I think about how much money they took from me over the years!!!!

Quick question - u said ur turning 70 this year and ur 66 now? That math dont add up?? Did u mean ur 69 now?

I recommend checking your my Social Security account online before your appointment to claim retirement benefits. The earnings record there should show all years you've worked, including those while receiving survivor benefits. Print this out and bring it with you. Also, you'll want to specifically ask about the "month of election" when you file. Since you're turning 70, you should file 3-4 months before your birthday to make sure processing is completed in time. You don't get additional increases after 70, so you want to make sure there's no gap in benefits. Your local office should be able to provide a benefit estimate showing exactly what you'll receive when switching from survivor to retirement benefits.

My situation was similar but I had a completely different outcome. My husband died, I got survivors benefits, kept working, had some reductions. I'm thinking the rules must have changed recently? Because when I switched to my own benefit two years ago, they did some kind of adjustment. Maybe talk to a different SSA person?

Thank you everyone for the helpful information! I'm going to schedule my appointment to file for retirement benefits soon, and I'll make sure to check my earnings record carefully beforehand. It's disappointing about not getting those deductions back, but at least now I understand how it works and won't be surprised. I appreciate all your insights!