I am a 62 year old receiving widows benefits for two years. I’m able to receive a pension from Chrysler and K mart Headquarters when I reach 65. Will these pensions be considered income regarding the social security earnings test? I understand if I work I cannot make anything over $19,600.00 approx. My full retirement age is 66 years and 10 months. Second question...I grossed 15,0000.00 in 2020. I also received 10,000.00 in unemployment due to my place of work shut down due to the COVID pandemic for a few months. Do I owe social security anything for 2020? Thank you for looking into this for me.

Hi. No, only earned income counts for Social Security earnings test purposes, and pensions aren't considered earned income. Unemployment benefits also don't count as earned income, so as long as your actual earned income was less than $18,240 in 2020 the Social Security earnings test wouldn't require any of your benefits from last year to be repaid.

Best, Jerry