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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Keith F.
If I retired in mid 2019, but wife stilled worked for we have to pay quarterly taxes against my social security benefits I took started in June?
A.C.
Hi, Keith. For any income tax questions, you will need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (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.
Sandra K.
My husband receives retirement from a State pension.
Can he also receive SS at 63?
Is the SS amount that shows under his Social Security
the full amount or would he have to deduct for the State pension?
L.A.
Hi Sandra. Thanks for your question. If your husband’s pension is based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies, such as police officers and some teachers), it may cause the amount of his Social Security benefit to be reduced. His benefit can be reduced based on the Windfall Elimination Provision. For specific questions about your husband’s case, please have your husband call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. He may also contact his local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Joan
I am working fulltime and collecting ss due to being healthy and needing the cash flow. Is there anything I need to know regarding this>
L.A.
Hi, Joan. 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. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, this can reduce the number of payments you receive through the year. For 2019 that limit is $17,640. If you applied and received benefits prior to attainment of full retirement age, and work part-time thereafter you will be considered “retired” only if your monthly earnings are $1,470 or less. Also, if your earnings will be over the limit for the year but you will be retired for part of the year, we have a special rule that applies to earnings for one year. 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. We hope this helps.
Dalyce A.
I earned too much from employment when I started drawing my Social Security benefits early. I had to reimburse Social Security for those overpayments. I was of the understanding that the monies I refunded to the government for overpayments would be returned to me once I reached full retirement age. I have not seen an increase to my monthly benefit other than the COLA when they were authorized. Will I be advised of getting some of the overpayments back.
Frankie B.
I have reached full retirement age and continue working full time. Will my benefit increase? What can I do to assure this takes place? Are there special programs through employers to maximize my earnings?
A.C.
Hi, Frankie. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their 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. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. For more information, check out our Benefits Planner: Getting Benefits While Working. We hope this helps.
Jon S.
Who do I notify that I am taking a part time job wihile on SSDI?
L.A.
Hi Jon. We have special rules that allow you to work temporarily without losing monthly Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. It is important to let us know promptly when you start or stop working, or if any other change that could affect your benefits. You should call us toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Learn more information by reading our publication titled “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help.” We hope this helps
William H.
If I collect ssa and keep on working will my ssa go up while working.
A.C.
Hi, William. Thanks for your question. Each year we review the records for all Social Security recipients who work and will recalculate your benefit if applicable. Learn more about how work affects your benefits here. We hope this helps.
Eduardo S.
So, if I understand this properly, if I make $10,000 per year as a free lance writer, it won’t affect my SS income which is around 12,600 per year. Hope I am right.
I am a 68 years old person.
A.C.
Hi, Eduardo. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. For more details, visit our Getting Benefits While Working web page. We hope this helps.
Howard B.
Since when is the government “for the people” allowed to steal my money? I paid into SS like everybody else, but because I’m in PERS, I will not get my full benefit. That is bullshit. I guess it takes less effort for the fed’s to cut my retirement benefits than it is to go after deadbeats that sit on their ass all day and collect checks from the government for doing nothing. You are a sad group up there on Capital hill. You’ve gotten way off on tangents and lost sight of what you are there for.
Steve. H.
I am 68 1/2. Wanting to go back to work delivering newspapers Will the money I make affect my social security. Take any of it away. Thank you. Steve