How Much Can I Earn and Still Collect Social Security?

Curious how much you can work and still keep your Social Security checks? This easy guide explains the 2025 earnings limits, what income counts, and how to avoid surprises—so you can plan your retirement with confidence.

Author

Carrie Brenner
May 28, 2025

Quick Take - The Brief

  • You can earn up to $22,320 in 2025 before your Social Security benefits are reduced if you are under full retirement age all year.

  • If you reach full retirement age in 2025, you can earn up to $59,520 before reductions apply—only earnings before your birthday month count.

  • Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount with no reduction in benefits.

  • Only work income counts (wages or self-employment)—pensions, investments, and other income do not affect Social Security.

  • Reporting your earnings is required to avoid overpayments or penalties.

Why It Matters

Knowing how much you can earn without losing Social Security income helps you plan your work, retirement, and budget. With the right information, you can maximize your benefits and avoid unexpected reductions or overpayments.

Deep Dive - The Beyond

How the Earnings Test Works

Who It Affects:

  • Seniors collecting Social Security before full retirement age (FRA).

  • FRA is 67 for those born in 1960 or later.

What Counts as Earnings:

  • Wages from a job or net earnings from self-employment.

  • Does not include pensions, annuities, investment income, or veterans benefits.

Annual Earnings Limits for 2025

Age in 2025

Annual Earnings Limit

How Benefits Are Reduced

Under Full Retirement Age

$22,320

Lose $1 in benefits for every $2 over

Reaching FRA in 2025

$59,520 (before FRA)

Lose $1 in benefits for every $3 over

After Full Retirement Age

No limit

No reduction

Example:

If you are 65 in 2025 and earn $26,320 from work:

  • $26,320 (your earnings) – $22,320 (limit) = $4,000 over the limit.

  • $4,000 ÷ 2 = $2,000 withheld from your Social Security for the year.

Special Rules for the Year You Reach FRA

  • Only earnings before the month you reach FRA count toward the limit.

  • After your birthday month, you can earn any amount with no reduction.

What Income Is Counted?

Counted:

  • Wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment net income.

Not Counted:

  • Pensions, retirement account withdrawals, dividends, interest, rental income.

Step-by-Step: What To Do Next

#1: Estimate Your Work Income

  • Add up all expected wages and self-employment earnings for the year.

#2: Check Your Age & Limit

  • Are you under FRA all year? Use the $22,320 limit.

  • Will you reach FRA in 2025? Use the $59,520 limit for earnings before your birthday month.

#3: Report Your Earnings

  • Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you expect to earn over the limit.

  • Update your estimate if your work situation changes.

#4: Understand Withholding

  • SSA will withhold benefits early in the year if you are over the limit.

  • If your actual earnings are less than expected, SSA will refund withheld benefits.

#5: Review Your Social Security Statement

  • Check your earnings record for accuracy.

  • Contact SSA if you find errors.

Visual Aid: 2025 Social Security Earnings Limits

Scenario

Annual Limit

Reduction Rule

Under FRA (all year)

$22,320

$1 withheld per $2 over limit

Reaching FRA in 2025 (before birthday)

$59,520

$1 withheld per $3 over limit

After FRA (from birthday month onward)

No limit

No reduction

Readers Toolbox

Official Resources:

Downloadable Guides:

Local Help:

  • Area Agencies on Aging

  • Senior centers and community help desks

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In-Depth Extras:

Expert Tip:

If your earnings are uneven during the year (such as seasonal work), you may qualify for a special monthly earnings test in your first year of retirement. Ask SSA about this option if it applies to you.

Real-Life Story:

Mary turned 66 in March 2025 and continued working part-time, earning $25,000 for the year. Because she was under full retirement age for the entire year, her earnings exceeded the $22,320 limit by $2,680. The SSA withheld $1,340 in benefits ($2,680 ÷ 2). When Mary turned 67 in March 2026, she could earn any amount without losing benefits.

Community Corner

Have a question or a tip about working and collecting Social Security?

Share your experience below! Your story could help others plan their retirement journey.

❝

I called my local SSA office before taking a part-time job. They helped me estimate my benefit reduction and explained how to report my earnings. It gave me peace of mind.

Reader Tip

References:

  1. Stanley A. Tomkiel III. The Social Security Benefits Handbook, 4th Edition. Sphinx Publishing. Accessed May 25, 2025.

  2. Joseph L. Matthews. Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits. NOLO. Accessed May 25, 2025.

  3. Social Security Administration. “Retirement Benefits” and “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” Accessed May 25, 2025. ssa.gov

  4. Social Security Administration. “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” Social Security Administration, Accessed May 25, 2025. www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html

  5. Munnell, Alicia H. and Anqi Chen. “How Work Affects Social Security Benefits.” Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, Issue Brief No. 24-2, January 2024. crr.bc.edu

  6. AARP. “How Working Affects Your Social Security Benefits.” AARP, Updated January 2025. www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/info-2020/working-while-receiving-benefits.html

  7. National Academy of Social Insurance. “Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know.” Virginia P. Reno and Elisa A. Walker. National Academy of Social Insurance, 2024. www.nasi.org/research/social-security-what-every-woman-should-know