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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Jessie W.
Are the rules the same for 2020 for working before full retirement age , how are we allowed to make before our full retirement age
A.C.
Hi, Jessie. The earnings limit for 2020 has not been released yet. To see how work affects your benefits while receiving retirement benefits, visit here. We hope this helps.
Rosalba C.
If at 62 I decided to apply for ss but want to continue working and make 19000 a year how much would I be getting per month on ss
A.C.
Hi, Rosalba. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Our Retirement Estimator gives you future estimates of monthly Social Security benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Also, we have a variety of benefit calculators to help you plan for the future. Which calculator you choose depends on what you want to do. The best way to start planning for your future is by creating a my Social Security account online. With your personal my Social Security account, you can verify your earnings, get your Social Security Statement, and much more. Also 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. Check out how work affects Social Security payments here. We hope this helps.
Lori H.
I am 70 years old, still working, and recently received a letter from SSA that I am being forced to start taking my benefits. I don’t want to, it will hurt me from a tax perspective. Is that true? Do I HAVE to start receiving Social Security benefits at age 70?
Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Lori. You earn delayed retirement credits automatically when and if you delay getting your benefits up until age 70. The benefit increase no longer applies when you reach age 70, even if you continue to delay taking benefits. Also, keep in mind that 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 bear in mind that the decision on when to apply for benefits is a personal one. We can only provide you with the information to help you make the best choice according to your own situation. To help you plan, you can use our online calculators. Also, you can create a personal my Social Security account to verify your earnings, and get a copy of your Social Security Statement. If you have additional questions about your specific case, 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 helps.
Patricia S.
I am working a part-time job and they take out social security on me. What happens to this money?
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Patricia. The Federal Insurance and Self-Employment Contribution Acts (FICA and SECA) require the withholding of taxes from wages of employed people, and the net earnings of most self-employed people, for the Social Security and Medicare programs.To learn more about FICA and SECA, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information is helpful.
Lola G.
I need part B on my social security stopped I did not relies it was started automatically I work full time and am on my employers insurance . How do I get it stopped ?
A.C.
Hi, Lola. Thanks for your question. To terminate your enrollment, we will help you submit a signed request for termination or Form CMS-1763. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires, when possible, a personal interview be conducted with everyone who wishes to terminate entitlement. Therefore, we do not offer form CMS-1763 online. For an interview, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or go to your local office. Generally,you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.
gregory o.
Hello,
I have a question about collecting SS benefits while I work for the State of Colorado, and paying into A Pera pension.
Can I collect SS benefits while still working full time with the State?
thank you
Greg Bloom
Gary G.
can i collect a monthly work pension while collecting S/S without being penalized?
L.A.
Hi Gary. If you begin to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, your benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits you may qualify for. 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 your monthly benefits. For more information, please see our “Benefits Planner: Retirement” page. Also, you can learn more by reading our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” We hope this information helps!
Gracia A.
I have collected SS since age 62. I’m now 70 and want to return to work. At what age do you stop deducting Federal Taxes from my earned working income?
Also, what’s the limit I can earn without affecting my current SS benefits?
Is that Gross income or Net income?
V.V.
Hi Gracia, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. Social Security does have earnings limits for retirement (or survivor) beneficiaries receiving benefits prior to their full retirement age. However, once you turn full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn.
If you’re asking about paying Social Security taxes, there is no exemption for paying the Federal Insurance and Self-Employment Contribution Acts (FICA and SECA) payroll taxes that fund the Social Security and Medicare systems. As long as you work in a job that is covered by Social Security, FICA taxes will be withheld from your paycheck. The same goes if you remain actively self-employed.
Robert R.
I retired at 62 would like to know how many hours or how much I can earn if I work part time In a pay period?
A.C.
Hi, Robert. You can work while you receive Social Security retirement (or survivors) benefits. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working for more information. Thanks!
Tina K.
My ex husband died last month. His social security check was deposited after his death. Is that to go backto ssa or is that his final payment?
A.C.
We are sorry to hear of your loss, Tina. Regarding your question, in some instances, the financial institution will automatically return payments upon notification of the beneficiary’s death, but you are right, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. Based on the date of death, your ex-husband was due the last payment unless the payment was scheduled to be paid after his date of death. We may pay amounts due a deceased beneficiary to a family member or legal representative of the estate. For more information and for the eligible family member to file a claim for the amounts due in the case of a deceased beneficiary, please visit here. The eligible family member can take or send the completed form to their local Social Security office. If you have any questions, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this information is helpful.