it's your modified gross adjusted income - or "taxable" income that counts. under the law income earned from social security benefits are included in the total. your investments and assets will not count toward your annual income however. only money pulled out of pensions and 401k plans (so income you derive from the accounts) count toward your total annual income. if you have money invested in a 401k but don't pull money out during the year it will not count.
i understand that the cost of health insurance is based on one's yearly income. is this earned income? . is ssi included as part of this income? how about a self-paid pension plan is that considered as part of earned income since it has been paid over many years with one's net earned dollars? 401k plans and interest on savings and unemployment benefits -- are these considered earned income?