I am 62 and start receiving benefits in January 2023 for Dec 2022. I work part time and get paid every two weeks. In December 2022 I got paid on the 8th of Dec for pay period covering Nov 22, 2022 through Dec 5, 2022. I receive another pay check on Dec 22, 2022 for pay period Dec 6, 2022 through Dec 19, 2022 , and I will receive another pay check on 5 January 2023 for pay period Dec 20, 2022 through 2 Jan 2023. Does the pay check I receive on January 5, 2023 get counted towards my monthly earning limit for December 2022? Would I be right in assuming that the check on the 8th of Dec 2022 and the check for the 22nd of Dec 2022 will count for Dec income toward my $1630 limit for the month but the check I get on the 5th of January 2023, even though it has some of Dec 2022 income in the period will count towards my January earning limit of$1770.

Hi. The monthly earnings test limit considers the amount you earn in a month, not the amount that you're paid in the month. So, the amount that will count toward the monthly limit for December is what you earn by working from December 1 through December 31, regardless of when your payments are received for that work (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302505010).

By the way, if you haven't already done so you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your filing options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits. Starting your retirement benefits at age 62 will assure you of receiving your lowest possible monthly benefit rate for life. And, if you're married, filing for your benefits at age 62 could also leave your spouse with the lowest possible monthly survivor rate that he or she could potentially receive from your Social Security account.

Best, Jerry