My husband recently filed for his ssa. His job is cutting back his days and we have to take it earlier than we wanted. He turns 65 in July. Unbeknownst to me, my daughter and I are eligible for benefits as well. She is 15. If he makes more than his income threshold, does this mean that she and I would have to pay back our benefits as well?
Thank you

Hi. Yes. You and your daughter couldn't be paid benefits from your husband's Social Security account for any months that his benefits need to be withheld due to his earnings. However, your and your daughter's benefit amounts would be counted when calculating the amount required to be withheld.

For example, say Bob will earn $25,560 this year. The earnings test exempt amount in 2021 is $18,960, so Bob's earnings will exceed the exempt amount by $6600. Therefore, Social Security would need to withhold $3300 of the benefits payable on Bob's account in 2021, or $1 for every $2 that his earnings exceed the exempt amount. Bob's monthly benefit rate is $1800, and his wife and daughter are each eligible for auxiliary benefits of $750 per month. So, by withholding both Bob's benefit and his wife's and daughter's benefits for one month, Social Security would recover the required $3300 to be withheld. Bob and his wife and daughter could all then be paid their benefits for any remaining months of entitlement in 2021.

It sounds like you and your husband may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry