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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phil f.
Hello I plan on collecting my full social security after 66 years and 2 months. However I would also like to continue to work full time. Can I collect my full salary regardless of how much I earn?
V.V.
Hi Phil. Once you reach your full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn.
Keep in mind, 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.
Ron
Ta what age must I start to collect SS
V.V.
Hi Ron. If you’re asking about Social Security retirement benefits, you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Monthly benefits are reduced if you start them any time before your “full retirement age”. Your full retirement age depends on your date of birth. It may be between age 66 and 67. This could affect the amount of your benefits and when you want the benefits to start.
The Benefits Planner: Retirement provides detailed information about Social Security retirement benefits.
Thomas F.
The figure in the article was for 2017. How much may I earn in 2019 while collecting social security benefits. I believe it was right at 18000 for 2018, but would like to know for 2019. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Thomas. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2019, that limit is $17,640. This limit changes in the year you reach full retirement age. To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page or read our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. If you have specific questions, you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and speak with one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.
Bonita P.
I am retired, receiving SS. I am 67 years old. At what age can I earn as much as I want without penalty?
A.C.
Hi, Bonita. 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. Please visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working 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.
Robert H.
I am 69 yrs old .I retiried at age 62 and have worked at a temporary service so many months every year. Will my social security increase at age 70.
A.C.
Hi, Robert. If a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for. In the other hand, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount could increase. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. To learn more read our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. We hope this information helps!
Ida H.
I am retired age 65. How much am I able to make without my wages interfering with my social security?
A.C.
Hi, Ida. If you are younger than your full retirement age during all of 2019, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $17,640. Check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, for more information. We hope this helps!
Kinda C.
My 2018 wages was $18000. Social Security tax withheld was $1,116. I received an alert while completing my taxes staying to much had been taken out of my check. I want to get the facts before contacting my employer.
Carla R.
I am retired and started collecting Social Security at age 62. I have a chance to go back to work for a short period of time which I am considering. Will I loose my Social Security payments while I am getting a paycheck? Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Carla. If you are younger than full retirement age during all of 2019, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $17,640. For more information, check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. We hope this helps.
Steven J.
I was told that the earning limits had changed for 2019 by a social worker but your website shows the limit for 2017. has this amount actually changed?
A.C.
Hi, Steven. If you are younger than full retirement age during all of 2019, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $17,640. For more information, check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. We hope this helps.
Sandy A.
I am 66 and collecting social security. I am now working a part time job. How much can I earn before social security reduces my monthly check. I know that if you go over that amount that for every 2 dollars over that amount they will reduce your social security check by 1 dollar
A.C.
Hi, Sandy. Thanks for your question. Your earnings from work might affect your Social Security retirement benefit. If you were born between 1943-1954, 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. If you are younger than full retirement age, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full Social Security benefits. If you are younger than full retirement age in 2019, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $17,640. If you reach full retirement age during 2019, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 you earn above $46,920 until the month you reach full retirement age. For more information and examples of how this works, please see our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. Hope this helps!