Does interest income affect social security benefits?

No. Both Social Security retirement and disability benefits are tied to an individual's contributions to the fund during the course of his or her working life.* There is no means test, and no limit on household income. Your wife's income will not affect your ability to receive benefits, nor will it change the benefit amount.

On the other hand, if you were born in 1943 or later and have not yet reached the full retirement age of 66, your personal earned income is restricted to $14,160 per year ($37,680 the year of your 66th birthday; no limit as of your birthday month and later), or the Social Security Administration will reduce your benefits for the next year by $1.00 for every $2.00 you earn over the limit. This can result in not receiving a Social Security check for several months, beginning in January of the following year.

There is no restriction on unearned income at any time.

*Spouses who were homemakers or didn't meet the required 40 credits to qualify for their own benefits may receive benefits based on the earning spouse's contributions.