21 May Can I work and get survivor benefits?

Q. I was told I could collect survivor benefits at 60 from my husband, a Jersey City Police officer. Can I still work full time as a teacher?

– Planning

A. It’s important to understand what benefits you may qualify for. The best thing for you to do is to contact Social Security so a representative can review your records and speak directly to your personal situation.

In general, you can get Social Security retirement or survivor’s benefits and work at the same time, said Bill Connington of Connington Wealth Management in Fairfield.

But if you’re younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced, he said.

“The amount that your benefits are reduced, however, isn’t truly lost,” Connington said. “Your benefit will increase at your full retirement age to account for benefits withheld due to earlier earnings.”

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