Thank you all for answering my previous questions, and all of the other questions I read on this website. I am just looking for some confirmation about filing for Social Security benefits. If I understand them correctly, if I am below my Full retirement Age, and am collecting either my own or spousal benefits, Social Security can withhold Social Security payments based on my earnings, if I exceed the earnings levels published. Any benefits withheld due to earning over the limit before Full Retirement Age will be returned after I reach Full Retirement Age, by retroactively adjusting my Primary Insurance Amount to account for any months I was not eligible for Social Security benefits.
In the case of Survivor Benefits, this is not the case. If I file before my Full Retirement Age for Widow's benefits (or surviving spousal benefits), whatever amount I am awarded (based on the percentage reduction from my deceased spouse's Primary Insurance Amount) is what I receive, even if I earn over the limit and and do not receive the full survivor's benefit.
Filing for survivor's benefits does not automatically file for any other benefits I may be entitled to.
If the above is true, please confirm. Thank you all again, for this service you provide, and the software that you have.
Lei Lani

Hi Lei Lani. It sounds like you might be misunderstanding some of the regulations. You can apply for either your own Social Security retirement benefits or for widow's benefits while waiting until later to claim the other benefit, but if you claim either retirement or widow's benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA) your benefits can be fully or partially withheld if you work and earn too much. The social security earnings test applies to all types of non-disability benefits up until a person reaches their FRA (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html).

Also, if you apply for either retirement or widow's benefits prior to FRA and if some or all of your benefits are withheld due to the earnings test, your benefit rate would be adjusted effective with the month you reach FRA to reduce the percentage reduction for age that was originally applied to your benefit. Such benefit adjustments are not retroactive to the person's initial month of benefit entitlement. Benefits lost to the earnings test aren't actually returned to the person, other than in the form of a higher monthly benefit rate starting at FRA due to the lesser reduction rate applied.

For example, let's say Amy applies for her Social Security retirement benefits 3 years, or 36 months, prior to her FRA. Amy's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount she would receive if she started drawing benefits at FRA, is $1000. However, Amy's benefit rate is reduced for age by 20% to $800. Amy is still working, and due to her earnings her benefits are withheld for 18 of the 36 months between her initial month of entitlement and her FRA. In that case, Amy's benefit rate would be adjusted effective with the month she reaches FRA to remove half of the 20% reduction for age that was initially applied to her benefit rate. That would raise Amy's benefit rate from $800 per month to $900 per month (i.e. PIA of $1000 x .9) effective with the month she reaches FRA.

Our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) is programmed to handle earnings test considerations and reduction factor adjustments, so you should strongly consider using the software to fully compare and analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry