Many Americans rely on Social Security to help fund their retirement. In fact, 60% of retirees say it’s a major part of their income, according to a Gallup poll. However, most don’t realize how different Factors That Could Affect Your Social Security Benefits. Let’s take a look at three things that can change your Social Security benefits, sometimes in ways you might not expect. If you’re also curious about the latest updates on Social Security, you can read about the New $2,000 Social Security Checks Confirmed: Who Qualifies and When to Expect It to learn more about the changes.
1. Working While Collecting Benefits
If you’re collecting Social Security and still working, it can affect your payments. There are two key things to know about this:
- Earnings Test: If you’re working before reaching full retirement age, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will reduce your benefits if you earn over a certain amount. For 2025, if you earn more than $23,400 (or $62,160 if you’re turning full retirement age this year), the SSA will reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit.
- Benefit Increase: On the plus side, working while receiving Social Security could increase your monthly benefit. The SSA looks at your 35 highest-earning years to calculate your benefits. If you replace one of those years with a higher salary, your benefits could go up.
| Earnings Test 2025 | Threshold | Reduction |
| Before full retirement age | $23,400 | $1 for every $2 over the threshold |
| Full retirement age in 2025 | $62,160 | $1 for every $3 over the threshold |
As you plan for your future, it’s important to keep in mind how Factors That Could Affect Your Social Security Benefits could impact your financial situation. You might also find it helpful to explore Social Security Benefits When Spouse Dies: Eligibility and Payments to understand how your spouse’s passing could impact your benefits.
2. Remarrying
Your Social Security benefits could change if you remarry. Here’s how it works:
- Divorced Spouses: If you’re divorced but were married for at least 10 years, you can collect spousal benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings, even if they haven’t started collecting their benefits. However, if you remarry, you’ll lose those spousal benefits, but you’ll be able to collect based on your new spouse’s record once they begin their benefits.
- Widowed Spouses: If your spouse has passed away, you can collect survivor benefits as long as you were married at least nine months before their passing. But if you remarry before you turn 60, you will lose those survivor benefits. If you marry after 60, you can still claim survivor benefits from your former spouse.
3. Medicare Premiums
Once you turn 65, you’re eligible for Medicare, and if you opt-in, your monthly premiums for Medicare Part B will be automatically deducted from your Social Security checks. However, keep in mind that Medicare premiums don’t adjust in the same way Social Security benefits do.
For instance, in 2025, Social Security benefits will rise by 2.5%, but Medicare premiums will go up by 5.9%. This means that while your Social Security benefits might increase, the amount you get could feel smaller after Medicare premiums are deducted.
FAQs on Factors That Could Affect Your Social Security Benefits
1. How does working while collecting Social Security affect my benefits?
If you earn above certain thresholds, your Social Security benefits may be reduced, but once you reach full retirement age, the SSA will adjust your benefits to make up for the reductions.
2. Can I collect Social Security benefits from my ex-spouse?
Yes, as long as you were married for at least 10 years, you can collect spousal benefits based on their record, even if they haven’t started collecting.
3. Do Medicare premiums impact my Social Security benefits?
Yes, Medicare premiums are deducted from your Social Security check. If premiums rise faster than your Social Security benefit increase, it can feel like your check didn’t grow much.