Your Age is the Deciding Factor
When considering if you can work while receiving a widow's pension (more formally known as Social Security survivors benefits), your age is the most important factor. The Social Security Administration (SSA) applies an earnings test to beneficiaries who are under their full retirement age (FRA). Once you reach your FRA, you can work and earn as much as you want without affecting your benefits.
Working Before Full Retirement Age
If you are below your FRA and work, the SSA will temporarily reduce your survivors benefits if your earnings exceed a certain limit. For 2025, the annual earnings limit for beneficiaries under FRA for the entire year is $23,400. For every $2 you earn over this limit, $1 will be deducted from your benefits. This is an important distinction to grasp—it's not a penalty, but a withholding of benefits that you will get back later.
Working in the Year You Reach Full Retirement Age
In the year you reach your FRA, a different, more generous earnings limit applies. In 2025, this limit is $62,160. The SSA will deduct $1 from your benefits for every $3 you earn over this limit, but this only applies to earnings made in the months before you reach your FRA. Beginning with the month you hit your FRA, there is no earnings limit whatsoever, and your benefits are no longer subject to reduction.
What Income Counts Toward the Limit?
The SSA only considers earned income when applying the earnings test. This includes:
- Wages: Money earned from working for an employer.
- Net earnings from self-employment: The profits you make from your own business after deducting expenses.
Income that does not count towards the limit includes:
- Investment earnings
- Interest
- Annuities
- Other government benefits, such as a Veterans Affairs (VA) Survivors Pension
- Pensions
A Crucial Distinction: Social Security vs. VA Pensions
It is important not to confuse Social Security survivors benefits with a VA Survivors Pension. A VA pension is a needs-based benefit for the surviving spouses of certain deceased veterans. Eligibility for a VA pension is based on your net worth and income, which is treated differently than the SSA's earnings test. You should consult the Department of Veterans Affairs for specific details on how income affects this particular benefit.
Is It Worth It to Work?
Working while receiving survivors benefits can be a strategic financial move for many. Even if your benefits are temporarily reduced, the withheld amounts are not lost. The SSA recalculates your benefit amount at your FRA to account for the benefits that were withheld, leading to a higher monthly payment for the rest of your life. This is especially beneficial if your work history and earnings allow you to build up your own Social Security retirement benefit. If your own retirement benefit becomes higher than your survivors benefit, you can switch to your own for the higher amount.
Understanding the Trade-Offs
| Feature | Working Under Full Retirement Age (FRA) | Working At or Above FRA |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Limit | Yes, annual limit applies (e.g., $23,400 for 2025). | No earnings limit. |
| Benefit Reduction | $1 is withheld for every $2 earned over the limit. | No benefit reduction based on earnings. |
| Withheld Benefits | Not lost; they are added back to your monthly benefit at FRA. | Not applicable, as no benefits are withheld. |
| Impact on Other Benefits | Your work and earnings will not affect the benefits of other family members. | Your work and earnings do not affect other family members' benefits. |
| Annual Recalculation | SSA automatically recalculates your benefits each year to increase your payment based on new earnings. | Your earnings will not affect your benefit amount. |
How to Report Your Earnings
If you are working and receiving survivors benefits, you must report your income to the SSA. In most cases, the SSA receives wage reports directly from employers. If you are self-employed or if your situation changes, you may need to contact the SSA directly to report your estimated earnings for the year to prevent overpayment.
This is a critical step to ensure you are receiving the correct amount and to avoid future issues. The SSA provides resources to help you with reporting and understanding how your work affects your benefits.
To learn more about how earnings affect your specific benefits, visit the official Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov.
Conclusion
Yes, you can get a widow's pension while working, but the key is to understand how your age and earnings interact with the SSA's rules. For those under full retirement age, the earnings limit can lead to a temporary reduction in benefits, but this can result in a higher lifetime benefit. For those at or over FRA, there is no earnings limit at all. By carefully managing your work and knowing the rules, you can optimize your financial situation during a difficult time.
