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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Fernando K.
I have reached my full retirement age and am 67 years old. I am drawing full social security each month. I am also working as a contractor a few times a year at my previous employer. Employer is NOT deducting any Federal income tax or social security tax as previously when I was fully employed. I know I am responsible for my own federal income tax. My question is: Do I need to pay social security tax?
A.C.
Hi, Fernando. For any income tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website at http://www.irs.gov/. We hope this helps.
Peggy P.
If I am receiving teacher retirement, does that amount go toward the total I can make for the year?
Mary L.
my husband is 66 in January and thinking about signing up for ssi and going on a reduced work week. What is the limit he can make??
V.V.
Hi Mary, thank you for your question. If your husband attains full retirement age (66) in 2019, the limit on his earnings is $46,920 but we only count earnings before the month he reaches full retirement age. Beginning with the month he reaches full retirement age, the amount he makes at work will not affect his Social Security benefits, no matter how much he earns. Please visit Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working web page for more details.
Danella J.
I am 76 years old and retired, receiving full social security benefits. I am self employed but don’t earn enough to file taxes. Am I required to file taxes on my self employment or no? Also, is there something in writing or a link I can visit that reflects this? Thanks
Gilbert L.
I did request to start my SS pension on March 7, 2018 while my full retirement will be Feb 2020 but I did understand that my pension will be reduce to adjust my 65 yrs old which I was okay with that. Since Mar 7 it has been pending until I got call from SS Administration in Durham,NC this morning and she told me I can not get until my retirement (age 66) in Feb 2020 and now I am confusing and right now she is sending form to fill out to un-request my benefit to put back normal of my status in my website. Help me and I am still confusing after I read working while retired information
A.C.
Hi, Gilbert. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this is resolved soon.
Joseph A.
I am 58. I want to retire at 62.
When I reach my full retirement age at 67 do my benefits increase when I have been collecting since age 62 or do they stay at the 62 year age benefit?
Joseph A.
When I retire at 62 and still work part time how much money can I make without it affecting my social security benefits? And is that amount before or after taxes?
Also is my social security taxed each month when I retire? If my benefit is $1392 a month is that taxed?
Jon H.
I am age 79 and work full time and receive my Social Security benefits.
I have become ill and cannot go back to work for a few months. Can I apply for unemployment at this age with my SS benefits that started around 67 years of age?
A.C.
We are sorry to hear about your condition, Jon. Unemployment insurance benefits are not counted under the Social Security annual earnings test and therefore do not affect your receipt of Social Security benefits. For more information about receiving Social Security and unemployment at the same time, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps!
Gorden G.
How will going back to work and paying into social security affect the social security payments I’m already receiving since I retired and started receiving S.S. monthly payments?
A.C.
Hi, Gorden. Keep in mind if you are under your full retirement age, you are subject to an earnings limit. 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. In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit. In 2019, the limit on your earnings is $46,920 but we only count earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. On 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, please read our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. We hope this information helps!
Jim W.
I was born in October 1950. I started collecting my SSI in October 2012. I need to know how much money can I earn without hurting my SSI?
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Jim. It appears you are you have reached your full retirement age. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or survivors benefits, your benefits will not be affected since you are full retirement age. However, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your work could affect your benefits. The amount of your SSI benefit, is based, in part, on the income available to you. Whether you are receiving Social Security or SSI, it is important to let us know promptly when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. You can find more information about working temporarily without losing monthly SSI benefits by reading our publication, Working while Disabled- How We Can Help We hope this helps.