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Earnings Test

Can You Advise Me?

Larry, I had to take early Social Security benefir so I could combine with my income to survive. Due to health issues this year high medical expenses, I've had to work over time to pay these expenses. My income will exceed the income limit of $19,500 . My income will be approximately $30,000. I fear punishment from Social Security because of the additional income. I receive a monthly Social Security benefit of $1,278 which I've had to combine with my income to survive. I fear Social Security.

Posted: 
Monday, September 4, 2017 - 06:36

How Does The Earnings Test Apply To Self-Employment Earnings?

I am 65 and will file for ss 8 months shy of my 66th birthday. I am married with two children under 18 (14, 12). My wife (age 54) has a stay at home business which, with deductions (including her ira) did not make a profit, but will hopefully do so soon. When I visited the SS office they told me that my kids can get benefits, and that my wife can also but her earnings can't exceed 1,400 per month. Here are my questions;

Posted: 
Sunday, August 27, 2017 - 08:00

What Is The Best Way To Deal With The Earnings Test?

My husband died, I am 63 and self-employed using a sole-proprietorship. I am receiving $2000 a month from my husband's social security. I will have an income of over $16920. I am considering having taxes withheld before I receive the money. How will that effect the amount I need to repay for the overage in income? What is the best way to pay the 'overage' back? Should I make payment arrangements at the end of the year or have the expected amount withheld now? Taxes are a giant concern, Yikes! any advise for a self-employed REALTOR?

Hi,

Posted: 
Friday, August 18, 2017 - 08:33

Why Is There An Earnings Test And How Does It Work?

I have a question and a comment. I will be 63 Dec. 2017. I want to start taking benefits come January 2018 but continue to work ($33,000) per year. I am aware of the reduced benefits and also of the earnings test. My question is when I sign up for my benefits in Jan. 2018, when will SS began to pay my benefit and when will they began to take back benefits due to the earnings test income overage? Will I receive my benefits beginning in Jan - Dec, and then in 2019 will they adjust the overages? I have enjoyed your site and have gained quite a bit of knowledge from it.

Posted: 
Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 09:40

Should I Be Able To Receive Benefits?

This is in regards to the 1st year rule. I have retired from one job and will keep working at the other. I get paid every other week at the job I am going to continue at and it is always the same amount. I want to collect social security for the months Sept - Dec and will make less than 1410 for each of those months.

Posted: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 06:56

Is It Correct That My Benefits Will Be Reduced If I Earn More Than $15,000 Per Year?

Hello, I am 66 years old, as of July 8, 2017. I have been collecting survivors benefits from deceased ex husband since last year. I intended to receive this benefit until age 70, and then start receiving my own benefit. I was warned not to make over $15,000 per year, or they will reduce my benefit. Firstly, let me know if this is correct. Next, please let me know at what age I can collect rental income from a property I own, without reducing the benefit. Thank you for any help you can give. It is much appreciated.
Colleen

Hi Colleen,

Posted: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 07:47

Should The Payment I Received For Paid Time Off Count For Earnings Test Purposes?

I retired January 3, 2016. I started receiving SS benefits. I received a letter from SSA that says I need to return a large sum of SS money since I made more than $17,000 in 2016. I was on-call on January 1st and actually worked a few hours that day. The remainder of that money was from my PTO (paid-time-off/ vacation) pay. My question: Is PTO considered "wages earned" ? Can I submit my 2016 W-2 and show the number of hours & money I received for PTO ?

Thank you

Hi,

Posted: 
Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 08:46

Can I Collect Spousal Benefits If My Wife's Benefits Are Withheld Due To The Earnings Test?

I just turned 64, my wife is 62 1/2. I am retired but have not filed for SS. She is still working and expects to work for several more years. My question is: If she were still working at 64 1/2 (when I would be 66) and applied for SS benefits, thereby enabling me to apply for restricted application spousal benefit (knowing she would not get any money because of the 50% reduction while working rule) would I be able to collect restricted application spousal benefit?

Posted: 
Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 07:56

Will My Earnings Cause My Wife To Be Subject To The Earnings Test?

My wife will be 69 in July 2017. She is considering beginning to take Social Security Retirement Benefits based on her earnings record (so she will be past Full Retirement Age when she begins to receive her Social Security Retirement Benefits). I will be 62 in July 2017 and plan to begin to take my Social Security Retirement Benefits when I turn 70. When I begin to take by benefits, my wife will switch to taking a Spousal Benefit because 50% of my benefit at Full Retirement Age will be more than her benefit based on her earnings.

Posted: 
Sunday, July 2, 2017 - 08:01
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