Ask an Advisor: Will Collecting My Late Husband’s Social Security Impact My Paycheck?

I turned 66 in December and I’m still working. My deceased husband would be 67 if he was still alive. Can I receive his Social Security now without any money taken away from my paycheck? – Sharon

I’m sorry to hear about your husband, Sharon. If you claim your Social Security survivor benefit now, you won’t have money withheld from the paycheck you receive from your work. Social Security doesn’t reduce your wages or take anything directly out of your paycheck.

However, the Social Security benefit you receive will be reduced due to your age, and possibly because of the income you earn. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.

A financial advisor can help you navigate Social Security claiming strategies and other retirement-planning needs. Connect with an advisor for free.

What Are Social Security Survivor Benefits?

First, let’s make sure we understand the basics of survivor benefits. In general, a surviving spouse is able to receive 100% of the benefit that a deceased spouse would collect if they were still alive, as long as that benefit is higher than their own.

For example, if your husband’s benefit would have been $2,000 per month and yours is $1,500 per month, you would collect your husband’s benefit.

While you can’t collect both benefits, a surviving spouse may choose to start one benefit first and switch to the other later, depending on which is higher and how each benefit grows over time. (And if you have additional questions about survivor benefits and claiming Social Security, talk it over with a financial advisor.)

Early Filing Penalties on Survivor Benefits

The basic rule above applies if the surviving spouse has reached their own full retirement age. If they haven’t, then early filing penalties apply. These will reduce the benefit that you collect. The reduction depends on how early you start, but the closer you are to full retirement age, the smaller the reduction will be.

In your case, you turned 66 in December 2025, meaning you were born in 1959. That means your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months. To receive 100% of your husband’s benefit, you’d need to wait until October 2026.

Keep in mind that while early filing penalties apply to survivor benefits, delayed filing credits do not. As a result, there’s no reason to delay collecting your husband’s benefit.

Earnings Limit for Survivor Benefits

If you file before you reach your own full retirement age, your benefit could also be reduced due to your income. To decide whether your income will cause a reduction in your benefits, you need to apply the earnings test. This test considers how much income you have and compares it to an earnings limit.

• If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the income limit.

• For the year you reach full retirement age, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 you earn above the income limit, up until the month you reach full retirement age.

Because you’ll reach full retirement age in 2026, the second rule applies to you. The income limit in your situation is $65,160.¹ If you make less than that amount in 2026, then you’ll collect the entire benefit you are entitled to. For every $3 you earn above that amount, $1 will be deducted from your benefit (up until the month of your birthday).

It’s important to understand that this reduction isn’t permanent. Benefits withheld due to the earnings test are used to increase your benefit at full retirement age. (And if you need additional financial advice after the death of a loved one, this free matching tool can connect you with a fiduciary financial advisor.)

Bottom Line

Collecting a survivor benefit before you reach your own full retirement age means that you are subject to the earnings test and early filing penalties. However, just because the earnings test applies doesn’t mean your benefit will automatically be reduced. If you earn under the limit, it has no effect.

Social Security Planning Tips

• A financial advisor with retirement planning experience can help you develop a strategy for claiming Social Security. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

• Social Security benefits can be partially taxable depending on your overall income, including withdrawals from retirement accounts, wages and other sources. As your income rises, up to 85% of your benefits may be included in taxable income, which can increase your overall tax bill. Managing when and how you take withdrawals can help shape that outcome.

Brandon Renfro, CFP®, is a SmartAsset financial planning columnist and answers reader questions on personal finance and tax topics. Got a question you’d like answered? Email AskAnAdvisor@smartasset.com and your question may be answered in a future column.

Please note that Brandon is not an employee of SmartAsset and is not a participant in SmartAsset AMP. He has been compensated for this article. Some reader-submitted questions are edited for clarity or brevity.

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/, ©iStock.com/Greggory DiSalvo

1. “Receiving Benefits While Working.” SSA.gov, https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html.

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