How Much Can I Earn at Work and Get Widow Benefits?
Navigate the interaction between your work income and Social Security widow benefits. Learn how earnings rules apply at different life stages.
Navigating Social Security widow(er)’s benefits while working requires understanding how earnings interact with these benefits. This is important for financial planning and ensuring compliance with Social Security Administration (SSA) rules. The amount an individual can earn before their benefits are affected depends on their age and SSA regulations.
Understanding the Earnings Limit Before Full Retirement Age
If you are receiving Social Security widow(er)’s benefits and have not yet reached your full retirement age (FRA), your earnings from work are subject to an annual limit. For 2025, this limit is $23,400. Should your earnings exceed this threshold, the Social Security Administration will temporarily reduce your benefits.
The SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For example, if you earn $2,000 over the $23,400 limit in 2025, your benefits would be reduced by $1,000. This reduction applies to your total annual benefits.
Rules for the Year You Reach Full Retirement Age
Different rules apply during the calendar year you reach your full retirement age. A higher earnings limit is in effect before the month you attain your full retirement age. For 2025, this elevated limit is $62,160. The reduction formula is also more favorable.
For every $3 you earn above this higher limit, $1 will be withheld from your benefits. Only earnings accumulated in the months leading up to your full retirement age are considered for this limit, not your earnings for the entire year. The Social Security Administration also applies a monthly earnings test in your first year of benefit receipt, allowing full benefits for months below a specific monthly limit, regardless of total annual earnings.
Earnings After Full Retirement Age
Once you reach your full retirement age, the Social Security earnings test no longer applies to your widow(er)’s benefits. This means you can earn any amount of money from work without your benefits being reduced. The Social Security Administration will not withhold any portion of your benefits due to your earnings once you are at or past your full retirement age.
This cessation of the earnings test provides greater financial flexibility for individuals who wish to continue working without impacting their Social Security payments. This allows for unrestricted earning potential while continuing to receive full benefits.
What Income Counts Toward the Limit
When determining if your earnings will affect your Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration counts wages from employment and net earnings from self-employment. This includes gross wages earned from a job, as well as any bonuses, commissions, or vacation pay. For those who are self-employed, only the net earnings from their business are considered.
Certain types of income are not counted toward the Social Security earnings limit. These non-countable sources include pensions, annuities, investment income such as interest or dividends, and capital gains. Other government benefits, like Veterans Benefits, are also excluded from the earnings test calculation.
Reporting Your Earnings to Social Security
Accurately reporting your earnings to the Social Security Administration is important for beneficiaries. Timely reporting helps ensure you receive the correct benefit amount and prevents potential overpayments or underpayments. If your earnings change significantly throughout the year, contact the SSA to update your estimated income.
You can report your estimated earnings at the beginning of the year and provide updates as your actual earnings become known. The SSA offers various methods for reporting, including online services through your “my Social Security” account, by mail, or by visiting a local Social Security office. Keeping detailed records of your earnings, such as pay stubs, is advisable for verification.