Retirement

Working While Retired

September 21, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: October 5, 2021

two women smiling and looking at flowersRetirement 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Kasha

    It’s really a nice and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. ALB

    I become retired because I was Lay off, then I start to collect retire benefit at 63, now I am 66 mature age, and now I am working again if I keeping working for 48 months more after my 66 years old, even those that I was penalized with 25% deduction in my benefit, it will increase my retire benefit because I will work for 48 months more after the mature age?

    • ALB

      Please can you advise about my question

    • Ray F.

      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. If you continue to work, remember that starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your Social Security benefits. We hope this information helps!

  3. Barbara H.

    I got my first retirement check Sept 2017 I will turn 66 Nov.6 2017
    will I have to pay anything for early retirement and I will continue to work my full time job explain to me if everything is good with that

    • Ray F.

      Hi Barbara, if you were born between 1943 and 1954, then 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, 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 2017 that limit is $16,920. 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 $1,410 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 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!

  4. Roz B.

    I am on SSDI and SSI. I turn 62 in Jan 2018. My question is, will my benefits then automatically switch to retirement benefits at age 62?
    If so, my earnings only allow just over $400 per month, according to my earnings record. I do have an x spouse who I was married to for 10 yrs, can I claim on their record at that time?
    Or will my lowly $400 be supplemented with SSI or what?
    Do I need to visit SS office?
    Am very confused and worried as there is no way I can survive on $400 a month with my medical conditions.

  5. Jerry R.

    I just signed up for an account with social security ssi. Can I get these news articles sent to my account with social security?

  6. LINDA C.

    I just turned 62 mid August and just got laid off end of September.
    If I begin collecting now, does the $16,920 max earnings begin from the date I begin collecting SS?
    Or for the whole of 2017 Including what I already made Jan – Sept ($12,500)

    • Ray F.

      Great question Linda. 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. The special rule lets us pay a full Social Security check for any whole month we consider you retired, regardless of your yearly earnings. To learn more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page or read “How Work Affects Your Benefits”. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!

      • LINDA C.

        I keep calling and getting a no one is available so I’ll post one more question. Thank you.
        With 2 jobs I definitely went over the limit of income for 2017. If I start collecting (I’m 62) December 1st, can I choose December as my (special rule you mentioned above) full pay without penalties month?
        IF yes, how do I go about doing that after I file, to also choose December for my ‘special rule’ month

  7. Amy S.

    It was a bad time so I took retirement at the earliest I could….however, I sincerely wish I had stuck it out and kept working the three more years to full benefits because I am having a terrible time making it on what I get. No other money as I could not afford to save either so….really think about when you take retirement and Social Security. Especially if they steal any more of it from the fund or give it willy nilly away to every Tom, Dick and Harry that wants it, but did not pay into it at all!! They need to relock the fund and leave it locked!

  8. mike b.

    What if your collecting SSD, can you still work? if so what is the limit?

    • Lesly F.

      Hi please can you help understand
      What is it mean SSD.

    • Ray F.

      Hi Mike. You can try to return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. We have special rules to help you get back to work without jeopardizing your initial benefits. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help”. Keep in mind that whether you are receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income, 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. For specific questions and to report changes and update your benefit records, please contact your local office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We hope this helps.

  9. Ann

    I applied & qualified for benefits this month, September. Am I right that I won’t receive my first check until October?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Ann. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of September, you will receive your first benefit payment in October. Please visit Schedule of Social Security Payments for more information.

  10. Mitch D.

    Many of the answers to the questions above are not totally complete. They are misleading. Better not to answer the questions than answer them the way you did

    • AKA

      And most of the questions are incomplete due to privacy concerns. Some information is better than no information at all. Many people do not realize that this forum is not designed to answer specific questions but they go ahead and ask anyway.

    • carols

      This blog invites “thoughts”, questions, views, and shared experiences/perceptions. All blogs should be respectful, sincere, honest, and polite. The Comment Policy is available for everyones review.

      • Ray F.

        Thank you for your comment. Please see Social Security Matters – Comment Policy.

Comments are closed.