Common Mistakes That Reduce Benefits

Even with the right strategy, simple errors can derail your income. Watch out for these traps:

1. Remarrying Too Soon

If you are receiving (or hope to receive) benefits on a divorced spouse’s or deceased spouse’s record, be careful about remarriage. Generally, if you remarry before age 60, you lose eligibility for those auxiliary benefits. If you wait until after age 60 to remarry, you can typically keep the survivor benefits from your previous marriage.

2. The “Earnings Test” Trap

If you claim early benefits (before your FRA) and continue to work, the SSA will withhold part of your check if you earn over $24,480 (in 2026). While you technically get this money back later in the form of a recalculated benefit, it can create a severe cash-flow crunch in the short term.

3. Ignoring the GPO and WEP

If you worked in a job that didn’t pay into Social Security (like certain state government jobs or teaching positions), two rules—the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)—could reduce your benefits. The GPO can reduce spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds of the amount of your government pension. Always calculate this offset before relying on that income.