Terms of Use

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and still work at the same time.  How much you can earn without reducing your benefits depends on your age relative to your Full Retirement Age (FRA).  For most people born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67.

Earnings Limits in 2026

According to the Social Security Administration:

If you are younger than Full Retirement Age for the entire year:

  • You can earn up to $24,480 in 2026 without reducing your benefits.

  • If you earn more than this, Social Security will temporarily reduce your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit.

If you reach Full Retirement Age in 2026:

  • A higher limit applies: $65,160 in earnings allowed before the month you reach your FRA.

  • Benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 you earn above that limit during the months before you attain FRA.

Once you reach your Full Retirement Age,

  • There is no earnings limit.

  • You can work and earn any amount without reduction in your Social Security retirement benefit, even if you continue to work afterward.

Special Monthly Rule (First Year of Benefits)

If you start receiving benefits mid-year and have already earned more than the annual limit, Social Security uses a special monthly rule:

  • The SSA will pay benefits for any whole month in which you are considered “retired” (limited or no earnings) regardless of your total yearly earnings.

  • Monthly limits for 2026 under this rule are roughly $2,040 (under FRA) and $5,430 (in the year you reach FRA).

How Reductions Work

  • Reductions are temporary. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, the SSA recalculates your benefit to give you credit for months in which benefits were withheld due to excess earnings.

  • Only earned income (wages or net self-employment income) counts toward the earnings limit — pensions, investment income, interest, and other non-earned income are not counted.

Important Considerations

  • These earnings limits apply only if you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits before FRA. After reaching FRA, there are no work-related earnings restrictions.

  • If you are working and plan to claim benefits around FRA, consider consulting SSA or a financial advisor to plan timing and avoid unexpected withholding.

Be sure to contact your tax planning professional or Social Security with questions.