How much can I earn while receiving Social Security
The amount you can earn while receiving Social Security depends on your age. Your earnings in (and after) the month you reach full retirement age will not affect your Social Security benefits. However, your benefit is reduced if your earnings exceed certain limits for the months before you reach your full retirement age.
If you are under full retirement age for the entire year:
You can earn $15,120 gross wages or net self-employment a year and not lose any benefits in 2013.
We will deduct $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above $15,120.
In the year you reach full retirement age:
You can earn $40,080 gross wages or net self-employment prior to the month you reach full retirement age and not lose any benefits in 2013.
Social Security Administration will deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 earned above $40,080.
The same earnings limits apply to a spouse or child who works and receives benefits on your record. You should report earnings to us for any months and years prior to full retirement age.
Does the surviving spouse of a worker, married at the time of death and living with the worker at the time death, and both collecting social security prior to the time of death [the surviving spouse, a wife, has already received notice from SSA that she will begin receiving her monthly widow’s benefits] have to file an actual application for the one time $255 death benefit or will that go to the surviving spouse also automatically in the same way as the monthly widow benefit. Thanks for reply.