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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Betsy M.
I am 69, have been out of work since covid-19 and receiving SSI benefits as of last year.
My job is recalling their workers. Am I still limited to the $18,000 per cap that I can make while collecting SSI?
Carmelle C.
If I am working full time and contributing to a 401k is my reported salary in regards to my social security benefits based on the gross amount after the 401k or before it’s deducted?
V.V.
Hi Carmelle, thanks for using our blog. Your reported Social Security earnings will appear in Box 3 of the W-2, Social Security wages. We hope this helps!
Terry S.
I collect a military retirement and a civil service annuity, I know these are both taxable income for federal and state purposes. Question is are either or both of these considered income for social security purposes where as I would have to pay taxes on my social security.
V.V.
Hi Terry, thanks for using our blog. Some Social Security beneficiaries have to pay federal (not state) income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if they have other substantial income in addition to their benefits (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on the federal tax return).
For information about taxation of benefits, visit our Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefits web page. We hope this is helpful!
Carol S.
I’m 77 years old working full time and collecting ss. Will my benefit increase with the additional earnings each year.
V.V.
Hi Carol, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. Each year we review the records for all Social Security recipients who work. If your latest year of earnings turns out to be one of your highest years, we refigure your benefit and pay you any increase due. This is an automatic process, and benefits are paid in December of the following year. For example, in December 2021, you should get an increase for your 2020 earnings if those earnings raised your benefit. The increase would be retroactive to January 2021.
Check out our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details.
Dolora E.
If i collect social security at the age of 65, can still work full time?
V.V.
Hi Delora, thanks for using our blog. You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits. The amount you’re allowed to earn while receiving benefits depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age in 2021, the earnings limit is $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.
Visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details.
Tony
I want to suspend my monthly SS on a temporary basis due to a seasonal job I accepted which is estimated to pay me close to $45,000 for a 4 month period. I am turning 65 this month so I am not at full retirement age yet?
V.V.
Hi Tony, thanks for using our blog. To provide an earnings estimate, you need to call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Sandra J.
I reached full retirement age last year and starting taking my SS benefit. My spouse is still working and will reach full retirement age in June 2021. He had planned on waiting to retire till he was 70. Is he still eligible to file and suspend at 66-2months.
His full retirement age benefit would give me double my current benefit because I am eligible for 1/2 his.
He doesn’t want to retire early.
V.V.
Hi Sandra, thanks for using our blog. Once your husband reaches his full retirement age, he can ask us to suspend his retirement benefit payments. However, if he voluntarily suspends his retirement benefit and you are receiving spouse’s benefits on his record, you will not be able to receive benefits for the same period that your benefits are suspended. Check out our Suspending Your Retirement Benefit Payments web page for more details.
Lynn
If eligible for a widow’s benefit at age 60, but still working, does the $ limit still apply? Or can one still collect the widow’s benefit regardless of how much money they are making?
V.V.
Hi Lynn, thanks for using our blog. You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits. The amount you’re allowed to earn while receiving benefits depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age in 2021, the earnings limit is $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.
Visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details.
Donna M.
I need to suspend my retirement benefits. I am working full time now. This is my second attempt to contact SS
V.V.
Hi Donna, thanks for using our blog. To provide us with an earnings estimate, please call and speak to a representative. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Cherise K.
Hi, My husband and I own a business. He retired from his full time job last December. He plans on collecting SS when he turns 62 this November. We are an LLC partnership. I take draws from the business. As long as he does not take draws from the business, will this affect his SS payments? Or should we remove his name from the business?
S.D.
Hi, Cherise, and thanks for reading our blog You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits. The amount you’re allowed to earn while receiving benefits depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age in 2021, the earnings limit is $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.
Visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details. We hope this helps.
Joyce D.
What would be the total earnings including your ss payment. Is that earnings counted monthly or yearly . 64 now will be 65 in October
V.V.
Thank you for the question, Joyce. When we figure out how much to deduct from your benefits, we count only the wages you make from your job or your net profit if you’re self-employed. We include bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay. We don’t count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans, or other government or military retirement benefits.
After you retire, you may receive payments for work you did before you started getting Social Security benefits. Usually, those payments will not affect your Social Security benefit if they are for work done before you retired. Check out our factsheet Special Payments After Retirement for more details.