Thank you. I actually did read that publication a while back. The thing is: what constitutes earnings? We have capital gains from a land contract on selling some acreage. We have modest income from our farm and a small business, with quite a lot of depreciation yet to use, so that makes it even more modest. We have always filed jointly at 50% each, as we work together at everything. Now I am able to get Medicare, so just have a supplemental at a couple hundred a month. She pays 1100/mo for insurance. Our gains and interest would put us over the "earnings" cap, but we'd be under it with just the net on farm & business income, especially if her earnings half was then reduced by the thousands in insurance.
We have no problem paying income tax on SS, at least no more than on any other income, lol. I just always thought the ceilings were on all household income totals of any stripe. Then, the other day, someone said that it was just based on individual income of certain types of earnings. Personally, I think total household income would be a better idea, since early benefits are a bit too generous. But it got us to thinking, so I tried looking into it. Her health is not good; otherwise, we wouldn't be concerned.
Added info: Additionally, it appears that my SS would not be counted against her limits, if Sam goes by individual vs. household totals.

