How much is a widow allowed to earn without losing any Social Security widows benefits?
Only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age (FRA) count towards your annual limit. If you work the entire year, we will use this formula to determine how much your benefit must be reduced: • If you are under FRA when you start getting your Social Security payments, $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2010 that limit is $14,160; in 2009 the limit was the same. • In the year you reach FRA, $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $3 you earn above the annual limit up to the month of FRA. For 2010, the limit is $37,680; in 2009, the limit was also $37,680. • Starting with the month you reach FRA you will receive your benefits with no limit on your earnings. If you only work part of the year, there is a special rule that applies to earnings for one year. We use a monthly earnings test in the first year an individual does not work and earn over the monthly limit in at least one month. This is usually the year in which the person
