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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Toni M.
At what age, can you work all you want without effecting your SS.
kim t.
Thank it was a lot of help
Robert H.
this is very cumbersome to get this stuff figured out. All I want to find out is the difference in my SS if I retire at 65 instead of 66 and 2 months
Serena S.
I will turn 66 on 08-11-2019. Can I earn $46,920 up until July 31 and not affect my current SS benefit that I began taking in Jan 2019?
Thanks
John
I am going to apply for ssa retirement at 61 and 9 months, I will be working at the time I apply, but will stop working when I reach 62, may I count on receiving the full amount that a 62 year old should receive? Will working at the time I apply affect me if I let it known at the time I apply that I am not going to work once I reach 62?
L.A.
Thank you for contacting us, John. To begin receiving reduced retirement benefits at 62, you are required to be age 62 for the entire month. For SSA purposes, individuals born on the first or second day of the month are considered age 62 for the “full” month and could be entitled to benefits for the month of their 62nd birthday. Retirement benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of December, you will receive your first benefit payment in January. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. You can still work and receive your Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. However, in 2019, if you apply for benefits at age 62, and work part-time thereafter you will be considered “retired” only if your monthly earnings are $1,470 or less. For more information, visit our webpage Your Options: Working, Applying for Retirement, or Both?, and read our publication: “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” We hope this helps.
Dong S.
What is non-taxable limit amount for earning of RMD, Required Minimum Distribution for a retired person who receives Social Security for taxable years of 2017, 2018 and 2019?
Frederick M.
What is the Social Security earning limit for 2019?
A.C.
Hi, Frederick. Thanks for your question. 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.
Vera B.
hello.
If I work 27 hrs @ 7.25 pr hr, Will that interfere with my spousal pay benefits of 708 per month?
A.C.
Hi, Vera. Check out how work affects Social Security payments here. We hope this helps!
gerald l.
I’m collecting full social security and still working and I’m still paying into social security how do I stop the payment
A.C.
Hi, Gerald. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community 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 helps.
Jimmy W.
i retired in September of 2018. Started drawing my retirement benifits in November i think. 2018 earnings were reported this year 2019.. Will my benifits increase this year.
A.C.
Hi, Jimmy. Thanks for your question. Each year we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. Generally, we will send a letter explaining any increase in your benefit amount. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or contact your local office directly for further assistance. We hope this helps.