I been on my late husbands social security since 2013. I turn 60 next month, it is not enough! Can I go back to work part time and build up
My credits until I’m 70? Will
I be penalized?

Hi. Assuming that you don't have an eligible child in your care, if you've been collecting survivor benefits prior to age 60 then you must be receiving disabled widow's benefits (DWB). The amount that you can earn and still qualify for DWB benefits is lower than the amount that you can earn when you qualify for regular widow's benefits, but until you reach your full retirement age (FRA) there will still be a limit on how much you can earn without losing any of your benefits.

You don't need to be considered as disabled in order to qualify for regular widow's benefits at age 60, but if you earn more than the Social Security earnings test exempt amount then at least some of your benefits would need to be withheld. The exempt amount in 2022 is $19,560, so if you earn less than that this year then you won't lose any of your benefits. But, if you earn more than that amount, Social Security would need to withhold $1 of your benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of $19,560. The exempt amount changes each year.

Best, Jerry