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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Howard l.
Born july 28 1955. What would my additional limit income. Earned income while drawing social security retirement at say 64 years old, and 65 and 66. Does earned income limits raise the later i start drawing social security retirement? Thank you
charley w.
don’t confuse the issue. can I work on ss at age of 66 and is there a limit on earnings
Alvin S.
I am currently on plan G cost is $140 a month would it be cheaper to get on a medigap plan
Gary D.
ok
Gary D.
i was 66 in aug i have a part time job how much money can i make on this job.i am a personal assistant i am tax exempt i work in the home
V.V.
Hi Gary. Once you reach your full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn.
Keep in mind, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount may increase. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount.
HANH N.
I reach full retirement at 66 year olds now. Before I got SSA from Disability Benefits. If I want to work for earning . Is It OK? It is not count how much do I earn, Is It right?
And If I come back my country to live for 6 months. I still get SSI benefits as usual. Is It right?
Please reply to me by Email. Thanks
V.V.
Hi there. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries become full retirement age. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record at the same time.
See our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how you can work while receiving Social Security disability benefits and what happens if you work and get Social Security retirement benefits.
If you move, you are required to report your change of address to Social Security, even if we are sending your payments to a bank or other financial institution. Our publication, “Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States”, explains how being outside the United States may affect your Social Security payments.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may continue to receive payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible for payment and you are in a country where we can send payments. If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, you must meet one of the conditions for payment described in this publication.
You may use our Payments Abroad Screening Tool to see if your benefits will continue indefinitely, stop after six consecutive months or if certain country specific restrictions apply.
Patricia C.
My retirement age is 66 and I’ll be 66 is August 2019. I called to get my Medicare part a and the lady told me I could start my retirement on January 1 and still work full time at my current making just under $60,000 with a small reduction in benefits of about $70. I called this morning to start my application process and was told that I can’t do that. My check will be reduced by $1 per $2 I make. Is this true. The earlier lady must have lied if this is true. I hope she is not lying and confusing others that might be older. That’s a sad situation to be lied to about your retirement. It’s bad enough that a person works all their life and only get $1800. Horrible place. Horrible claims reps. Train those workers Train those workers. I would have messed up my financial life listening to her. I’m devastated devastated devastated
V.V.
Hi Patricia. Thank you for your question. The amount you’re allowed to earn depends on your age. In the year you reach full retirement age, we deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above the earnings limit ($45,360 in 2018). Plus, 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. Use our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator to find out how much your benefits will be reduced.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more details.
gerhard u.
I am 73 years of age and collecting social security also working full time. will I get an increase in my benefit at some point?
V.V.
Generally, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount may increase. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. You can 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!
Curtis M.
My husband turned 65 in March but is still working so he wasn’t aware he needed to apply for medicare at that time. Now I’m reading something about a 10% penalty for applying late. .. So he still needs to apply immediately for the Part A ,B, and C.. He wants to drop his company insurance due to the $6,000 deductible. He simply cannot afford to have it. He recently had cataract surgery on 1 eye and the $2800 he had to pay even though it went towards his deductible and still has to pay for the anesthetist and all the medicine (3 different drops.. very expensive. So please let us know how to go about signing up . I called Medicare and they referred me to you. My name is Sharon Mullins I’m inquiring for my husband Curtis R. Mullins
Jong L.
I am fully retired and getting Social Security benefit.
But I am still working and paying Social Security contribution.
After I stop working, can I get back those contributions?
Best regards,
Jong
V.V.
Hi Jong. Generally, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount may increase. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. You can 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!