Aug
06
2012
By Guest (not verified)
I am eligible for survivor/wodow benefits. I am 62 now and plan to keep working full time. Can I/ should I apply now for survivor/widow benefits?
Working ("Earnings Limit") and survivor benefits
I would suggest you delay applying for survivor benefits for two reasons : The "earnings limit" and higher monthly benefits.
First, if you work while getting Social Security survivors benefits and are younger than full retirement age (age 66 for you), your benefits may be reduced if your earnings exceed certain limits. To find out what the earnings limits are this year and how earnings above those limits reduce your Social Security benefits, ask for How Work Affects Your Benefits (Publication No. 05-10069).
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10084.html#a0=2
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10069.html
Second, each month you delay the start of survivor benefits, your monthly check will grow by about 0.4 percent.
http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/survivorchartred.htm
http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/1945s.html
Please contact the SSA for your case.