Will my income affect my children's Social Security survivor benefits from their deceased father?
I've been raising my two kids (13 and 15) on my own since their father passed away two years ago. They currently receive survivor benefits from Social Security based on their dad's work record. I've been working part-time at a hospital, but I just got offered a full-time position with a significant salary increase (around $72,000/year). I'm worried this might affect my children's survivor benefits. Is there an income limit for ME as their mother that would reduce or eliminate their payments? I don't want to accept this job if it means losing their benefits. Their monthly payments help tremendously with expenses. Any advice from those who've dealt with this situation would be really appreciated!
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Anastasia Fedorov
Good news! Your income doesn't affect your children's survivor benefits at all. Since the benefits are based on their deceased father's earnings record, what YOU earn has zero impact on what THEY receive. The only earnings test that would apply would be if the CHILDREN themselves earned above certain limits (which is unlikely at their ages). Your children can continue receiving benefits until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school). So go ahead and take that job without worrying about their benefits!
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CosmicCruiser
AuthorOh wow, thank you so much for this information! That's such a relief to hear. I was really stressing about this decision. So just to clarify - even if I'm making $72,000 a year, they'll still get their full survivor benefits until they age out? That seems almost too good to be true!
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Sean Doyle
Thats not entirely right. My sisters income did effect her kids survivors benifits. The SSA lady said something about "deemed income" when she made to much money. Check w/ ur local office!!!
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Anastasia Fedorov
You might be thinking of SSI (Supplemental Security Income), which is different from survivor benefits. SSI is needs-based and has strict income and resource limits that include parental income for children. Survivor benefits are based on the deceased parent's work record and aren't affected by the surviving parent's income.
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Zara Rashid
The previous comments are mostly correct, but let me clarify a few things: 1. Your income as a parent does NOT affect your children's survivor benefits. These benefits are based solely on their deceased father's earnings record. 2. However, there is an earnings limit for the CHILDREN themselves if they work. In 2025, beneficiaries under full retirement age can earn up to $23,400 without reduction in benefits. Above that amount, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 earned. 3. Your children will receive benefits until they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). 4. If you yourself are receiving widow's benefits on your deceased husband's record (different from your children's benefits), then YOUR earnings would affect YOUR benefits, but not the children's. Take the job with confidence - your increased income won't impact their benefits!
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CosmicCruiser
AuthorThank you for this detailed explanation! I'm not receiving any widow's benefits since I'm still in my 40s. My kids don't have jobs yet, so we don't need to worry about their earnings either. This is all such a relief to hear!
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Luca Romano
When my husband died 3 years ago the Social Security people told me I could make whatever I wanted and it wouldn't affect my son's benefits. But then they sent me a letter saying I was over some limit and reduced his payment!!! I had to go through this whole appeals process to prove they were wrong. It was SUCH a nightmare getting through to them on the phone. Literally waited 3+ hours multiple times and got disconnected. So frustrating!!!
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Nia Jackson
After dealing with similar phone issues, I recently discovered this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a real SSA agent in under 20 minutes. They basically wait on hold so you don't have to. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to sort out my daughter's survivor benefits issue last month.
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NebulaNova
I went thru the same thing when my wife passed away 5 years ago. As others have said, YOUR income doesn't affect your KIDS' survivor benefits. The only thing that would affect their benefits is if THEY earn income above the limits (which is pretty high for kids anyway). My suggestion: take that full-time job offer. It's actually better for your family financially in both the short and long-term. The survivor benefits will continue unchanged, and you'll have additional income. Plus, you'll be building your own Social Security credits for your eventual retirement. Also, keep in mind that survivor benefits for kids end when they turn 18 (or 19 if still in high school), so having a solid income will help you prepare for when that support ends.
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Mateo Hernandez
this is good advice. my brother-in-law had same issue with his kids after my sister died. his income went up and kids still got full benefits. the ssa website explains this somewhere but its super confusing like everything else they do lol
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CosmicCruiser
Thank you everyone for your helpful responses! I just accepted the job offer today and feel so much better knowing my kids' benefits won't be affected. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences.
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Zara Rashid
Congratulations on the new job! Just as a heads-up for future reference, if you ever DO have questions about how survivor benefits work, the "Benefits for Children" publication on SSA's website has good information. And if you're ever confused about something, definitely contact SSA directly rather than relying solely on online advice (including mine!).
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Mateo Hernandez
My kids were in almost identical situation when my husband died. Your income has literally nothing to do with their survivors benefits. Take that job and build a better future for all of you! Besides when the kids turn 18/19 the benefits stop anyway so you need that income!
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Eleanor Foster
Congratulations on your new job! This is such great news. As someone who works in benefits administration, I can confirm what everyone else has said - your income absolutely does not affect your children's survivor benefits. These are two completely separate programs. Your kids' benefits are based on their father's work record and will continue until they age out, regardless of what you earn. You made the right decision taking that position. It's wonderful that you'll have both the survivor benefits for your children AND a stable full-time income to help secure your family's future. Best of luck with the new job!
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