Ask Larry

How Much Can I Earn Without Losing Benefits?

I am receiving a widows benefit of 503.00 and disability of 858.00 monthly and will be 62 in a few months. Do I need to do anything to get more or is this it for the rest of my life? How much can I safely earn at a part time job? Can I have a home put in my name that would be willed to me?

Hi,

When you receive Social Security disability benefits, you can generally earn up to $1,170 per month without losing benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf).

Your benefit amount is unlikely to change at least until you reach full retirement age. At that time, your widow's rate may increase somewhat if you were already receiving disability benefits when you became entitled to widow's benefits.

Home ownership and inheritances won't have any affect on your benefits.

Best, Jerry

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