Can I Receive Social Security if I Keep Working?

Working While Collecting Benefits: Income Limits, Earnings Test, and How to Maximize Your Social Security Payments Before and After Full Retirement Age.

Author

Carrie Brenner
May 09, 2025

Quick Take - The Brief

  • Yes, you can receive Social Security retirement benefits while still working.

  • If you are under your full retirement age, your benefits may be reduced if your earnings are over certain limits.

  • Once you reach full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want-your Social Security benefits will not be reduced.

  • The Social Security Administration updates earnings limits every year.

  • Only earned income (like wages or self-employment) counts toward these limits-not pensions, investments, or other unearned income.

Why It Matters

Many seniors want or need to keep working after they start Social Security. Understanding how your job affects your benefits helps you plan your finances, avoid surprises, and make the most of your retirement years.

Deep Dive - The Beyond

How Working Affects Your Social Security Benefits

1. You Can Work and Get Benefits-But There Are Rules

  • You are allowed to work and collect Social Security at the same time.

  • If you start benefits before your full retirement age and earn more than the annual limit, Social Security may temporarily reduce your payments.

  • After you reach full retirement age, there’s no limit-your benefits are not reduced, no matter how much you earn.

2. What is Full Retirement Age?

  • Full retirement age depends on your birth year. For most people retiring now, it’s between 66 and 67.

  • Before you reach this age, the earnings limit applies.

3. Earnings Limit for 2025

  • If you are under full retirement age for all of 2025: You can earn up to $22,320. If you earn more, Social Security will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above this limit.

  • If you reach full retirement age in 2025: The limit rises to $59,520, and the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned over the limit, but only for months before you reach full retirement age.

  • After your birthday month (when you reach full retirement age): There is no reduction, no matter how much you earn.

Age Status

2025 Earnings Limit

Benefit Reduction

Under Full Retirement Age (all year)

$22,320

$1 withheld for every $2 over

Reaching Full Retirement Age in 2025

$59,520

$1 withheld for every $3 over (before birthday month)

After Full Retirement Age

No limit

No reduction

4. What Counts as Earnings?

  • Only wages from a job or net earnings from self-employment count toward the limit.

  • Pensions, annuities, investment income, and other non-work income do not count.

5. What Happens to Withheld Benefits?

  • The money Social Security withholds isn’t lost. Once you reach full retirement age, your monthly benefit will be recalculated and increased to account for months when benefits were withheld.

6. Special Rule for the First Year

  • If you retire mid-year and start benefits, a special rule lets you receive a full Social Security check for any month you earn less than the monthly limit, even if your annual earnings are higher.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If You’re Working and Claiming Benefits

  1. Estimate Your Earnings: Figure out how much you expect to earn this year from work.

  2. Check the Limits: Compare your expected earnings to the Social Security earnings limit for your age group.

  3. Report Your Earnings: Tell the Social Security Administration about your work and estimated earnings when you apply for benefits, and update them if your situation changes.

  4. Monitor Your Payments: If you earn more than the limit, Social Security will adjust your benefit payments.

  5. Review Your Benefits at Full Retirement Age: When you reach full retirement age, inform Social Security if you plan to keep working-they will stop reducing your benefits.

Readers Toolbox

Official Resources:

Downloadable Tools:

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In-Depth Extras

Want to know more?

  • Interviews with seniors who returned to work after retirement-how they balanced income and benefits.

  • Expert Q&A: What to do if you receive an overpayment notice from Social Security.

  • Policy background: How the annual earnings test has changed over time and what’s proposed for the future.

Community Corner

Have you worked while receiving Social Security?

Share your experience, tips, or questions below! Your story might help others navigate their own retirement journey.

References:

  1. Social Security Administration. “Retirement Benefits.” Accessed May 4, 2025. www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement

  2. Matthews, Joseph L. Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits. NOLO, 30th Edition, 2025.

  3. Stanley A. Tomkiel III. The Social Security Benefits Handbook. Sphinx Publishing, 4th Edition.

  4. Social Security Administration. “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” Accessed May 4, 2025. www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html

  5. MFS. 2025 Social Security Reference Guide. Accessed May 4, 2025. mfs.com