Working While Retired
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 5, 2021
Retirement life is different for everyone. Social Security is here to secure today and tomorrow, whether you sail into the sunset or decide to continue working. Some of our rules allow you to receive Social Security retirement or survivor benefits and work at the same time, as long as you don’t make more than Social Security’s annual earnings limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.
If you’re younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we’ll reduce your Social Security benefits. But starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Our Retirement Portal explains the requirement and deductions, and what happens after you reach full retirement age.
Two of our online tools can help you find the information you need to make the right decision for you. You can find your full retirement age based on your date of birth by using our Retirement Age Calculator. Our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator can help you find out how much your benefits may be reduced if you are working and haven’t reached your full retirement age.
There are several things to consider if you plan to continue working after you retire. Our website gives you detailed information for the type of employment that you have. It also explains what types of pensions, annuities, and income do not count toward your earnings limits.
Additional earnings after you start collecting benefits might increase your monthly benefit. If there’s an increase, we’ll send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. If you think your earnings will be different than what you originally told us, let us know right away. For more information, read our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, or visit our website. No matter what you decide to do with your retirement life, you can count on Social Security.
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Tags: retirement, retirement benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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mary
I will be retiring as of march 28th 2019 a special monthly rule dos it apply to me if I will make around 1600.00
for those 3 months of the new year or can I make 1452 a month for the rest of 2019?
V.V.
Great question, Mary. It really depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age (66) in 2019, the limit on your earnings is $46,920 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn.
If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2019, that limit is $17,640. There is a special earnings limit rule for those that retire mid-year and have already earned more than the yearly earnings limit.
The Getting Benefits While Working web page provides more details.
matthew g.
last year i retired on 3/1/2018 but will not be full s.s. age till
12/30/2018 and i started collecting s.s. on 1/01/2018 wanted to know if i made more then i was allowed to how do i know i went over and if i did how do you handle the pay back for it . i know i was able to make about $44,500
per year but i may be a little over.
thank you
A.C.
Hi, Matthew. In the year you reach your full retirement age, in this example 2018, your benefits will be reduced $1 for every $3 you earn over an annual limit ($45,360) until the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, you can keep working, and your Social Security benefit will not be reduced no matter how much you earn. For more information, please check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. Thanks.
Angelo D.
I am on SSN and still working ,I made more than 41,000 dollars last year( 2017 if they go for highest 35 years in wages ,41,000 is at least 22,000 dollars more than the 35th highest wage. Should I have gotten an increase in SSN benefit amount.I am 67 and will be 68 in July. I also made 51,000 for 2018. People I know have gotten an increase. thank you for your time
V.V.
Hi Angelo. Generally, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount may increase. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Philip P.
Good day – I started collecting Social Security a couple years ago around the amount of $1000 a month. I am wondering if I get a job now that I am over 70 must I then abandon collecting Social Security due to being employed again?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Philip. At age 70, you have -already- reached your full retirement age. If you work and are full retirement age or older, the amount you make at work will not affect your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn.
Please read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information. Thanks!
Elsie R.
I would like to know why I can’t collect my husbands benefits, the statement I have tell me, that I have to be married for at least 10 years, just missed it by three months. We got married 1973, but I had his first child in 1972, and he was using my son as a deduction. Do I still have a chance to get his benefits?
Thank you,
Elsie Rullan
David
I am trying to find out is there a max earning for someone on social security they are 80 years old and are looking to earn additional income
Daniel L.
I am 62 an d collecting SS. I am starting a part time job that will not pay me more than the max we can earn. Do I need to report the income to SS every month? All taxes will be withheld from my paycheck. Thanks.
Neil H.
Hi, I’m at 66 now, If I collect my SSI now, and I keep working will my SSI check go up yearly ?
Thanks
A.C.
Hi, Neil. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, then your full retirement age for retirement insurance benefits is 66. If you work and are full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn, starting with the month you reach your full retirement age. Each year we review the records for all Social Security recipients who work and will refigure your benefit, if applicable. Please see our publication, How Work Affects Benefits, for more information. If you have specific questions about your situation, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak with one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks.
Valorie S.
Can I work for another company immediately after I retire from a an ASRS organization, and if not, how long must I wait? I am 65 years old
Neila C.
I thought I could work and not have to pay taxes on any of my ssa.
I keep my disabled grandson and now have a taxable ssa amount of over 4,000
I owe a tax bill next year I estimate to be 700.
Why? I was born in 1949 and began my dad at 65
V.V.
Thank you for your question, Neila. Under current law, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers Social Security benefits taxable income for beneficiaries whose countable income exceeds certain limits. To learn more about those income thresholds, visit the Benefits Planner: Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefit web page.
The partial taxation of Social Security benefits was enacted by Congress in 1983 and revised in 1993, as a way to restore financial soundness to the Social Security system. Congress based this provision on the tax treatment of private and public pensions. The taxes collected from benefits are credited to the Social Security trust funds and the Medicare hospital insurance funds.