Ask Larry

Earnings Test

What Is The Amount You Can Earn And Still Draw Your Benefits?

What is the amount per year that you can make by still working and you still draw your benefits.because I am 62. I am undecided should I apply for my benefits or wait.

Hi. The Social Security earnings test exempt amount in 2021 is $18,960. For detailed information about the earnings test, refer to the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html.

Posted: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021 - 13:00

Should My Sister File For Survivor Benefits Even If She's Working?

I have done some reading, and used online calculators.
(Writing for sister, working, divorced, recently widowed with disabled adult son (disabled long before age 22). Former spouse died in 2020. I know she MUST file for a restricted benefit.

The calculators advise to file for mother benefit, child benefit and survivor benefit now and her social security at 70. Then the calculators show zero for the mother benefit? There is also an earnings test and she will lose much of the survivor benefit (looks like 11,000 a year).

Posted: 
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 - 10:27

Would I Be Able To Collect Benefits If I Retire From My Job And Become An Independent Contractor?

I am considering retiring from my career job at 63 and becoming an independent contractor delivering campers across the country. My schedule c income would be under 19k...lots of legal deducts. In this business.would be driving 50 hours a week...would my benefit be ok...or would they say I'm not retired?? Help!!!!! And thanks!!!!!

Posted: 
Sunday, June 27, 2021 - 10:18

Can You Explain How The Earnings Test Works In The Year That You Reach Full Retirement Age?

Can you explain the earnings test as it relates to the year you reach full retirement? Wondering if it would be worth my husband taking the reduction from 100% to 96.11% of his full retirement in exchange for the $50,000 he could earn before it would affect his monthly benefit. . The reduction would be about $74 in his benefit, but I think I’m understanding that it would not affect my spousal benefit and my sons DAC benefit. We would still get the full retirement/family max amount.

Posted: 
Saturday, June 26, 2021 - 12:21

What Type Of Income Counts Toward The Income Limit?

I plan on retiring this year at age 62 taking widower benefits (spouse past young) and my minor son will take mine. I plan on working up to the allowable amount, but want to make sure the following does not count toward that amount:
Son monthly amount
Any stimulus if that should happen
The monthly child tax credit that is beginning
Any “profit” from IRA’s, investments or non vested pensions that I don’t plan on using now.

Thank you so much!

Posted: 
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 22:11

How Will Each Of My Family Members' Benefits Be Affected By The Earnings Test?

I intend to retire next year at 62, as I have two young children (who will be age 8 and 11 when I hit 62) and my wife (age 47) as caretaker. Obviously with 4 people drawing checks, the family maximum will be hit. My question is how will each person’s benefits be affected if 1) I continue to receive earned income, 2) my wife receives earned income, and 3) if either of the children receive earned income.

Posted: 
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - 19:11

How Will It Affect My Widow's Benefits If I Work In France?

My husband and I have been married for 10 years and have lived in the United States for 9 years of that marriage. I am a woman who is 34. In 2 months, My husband will soon turn 66 and 2 months, his Full Retirement Age, and he will apply for his social security benefits to begin at that time, and we will also apply for Child In Care and Child Auxiliary Benefits as well as we have a 9 year old child. We have now moved to live permanently in France.

Posted: 
Saturday, June 5, 2021 - 07:32
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.