I will begin receiving a Child in care spousal benefit in October, 2017. I am 59. I am currently working and will have earned around $70,000 this year up to that October starting date. Will those earnings be considered for the Earnings Test this year or will they only consider my income from October through December in determining whether the test will limit or eliminate my benefit?

Hi,

Your earnings for the entire year count toward the 2017 annual earnings test exempt amount of $16,920 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html), but you could still be paid for October through December if this is your first year of entitlement to benefits, and you don't earn more than $1,410 in any of those 3 months. For more information on the monthly earnings test rules, refer to Social Security's website: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/rule.html.

Best, Jerry