Work related large lump sum paid

[SandraL347640]

 Perhaps you can help a retired lady. I'm 77 and started collecting SS when 62. I still work part time and am self employed. Recently I won a work related lawsuit of $220,000.00. I've been relatively low income the past 15 years. After paying the SS for that year, does my SS go up? Won't it be used as part of my "average" income? Will I receive larger checks from now on?

[GailL1]

@SandraL347640 

You need to see a tax professional because your tax amount and type of taxes, if any, that have to be paid will depend on what the lawsuit winnings covered.

These articles explain in general the various taxes on different types of recovery and when they maybe applicable and they covers your question just so you get some general knowledge for what will be looked at in determining the taxability of the award or any part of it.  

Smart Assets.com - Updated 01/08/2025 What You Need to Know About Taxes on Lawsuit Settlements 

Smart Asset.com 12/12/2024 - How to Avoid Paying Taxes on a Lawsuit Settlement 

If a portion of your settlement is allocated to cover lost wages, that amount is subject to taxation just like regular income. The IRS treats lost wage compensation as a replacement for the income you would have earned, which means you’ll owe taxes at your normal income tax rate. Additionally, these amounts may be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes up to the cap amount of your total earnings (2025 - $176,100) or the part of the award that are deemed to replace wages.  

The amount of the settlement that might be related to loss wages may put you over in qualifying and receiving any special help with Medicare premiums and cost like a Medicare Savings Program, if you get such a subsidy.  If you now qualify for Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible) - that might end if these are loss wage recovery. Also this large of an amount, I would assume, would also add to your income if it is invested and would then also count as an asset to further make you ineligible if you get this type of extra help on Medicare.   Depending on the amount of any loss wages recovered, it may also trigger the Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount (IRMAA) premiums for at least the year that you receive them - assessed (2) years after the tax return is filed or the latest that Social Security can actually see that have been processed.

So, yes, there are many things that COULD happen but it all depends on the nature of the award and what it is for - what is it making up for your?

Again, see a tax professional because nobody here can answer your question specifically without knowing all the details.  

Good Luck with your new found bounty.