Losing a spouse can force someone to make major financial decisions while they’re still working, paying a mortgage, supporting family, or trying to rebuild a retirement plan. Social Security survivor benefits can provide important income, but collecting them before full retirement age while continuing to work introduces a rule that’s surprisingly easy to misunderstand. In 2026, someone under full retirement age can earn $24,480 before the Social Security earnings test begins reducing benefits. What makes working while receiving survivor benefits particularly confusing is that survivor benefits have their own full retirement age, yet Social Security uses the retirement-benefit full retirement age when applying the earnings test. Here is what widows and widowers need to know to avoid an unexpected reduction in their monthly checks.
