What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits? (2025)

FAQs

What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits? ›

Your benefits may increase when you work: As long as you continue to work, even if you are receiving benefits, you will continue to pay Social Security taxes on your earnings. However, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings you had will increase your monthly benefit.

If you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, we may reduce your benefit amount. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2024, that limit is $22,320.

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time before your full retirement age. However your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the yearly earnings limits.

Extended Period of Eligibility — After your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings aren't “substantial.” In 2024, we consider earnings over $1,550 ($2,590 if you're blind) to be substantial.

There is no cap on how much you can earn while on Social Security — if you've reached full retirement age. Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet.

If you are full retirement age and earning money, no worries. You're good to go, no penalties involved. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, which for 2024 is $22,320, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reduces your benefit.

Social Security can potentially be subject to tax regardless of your age. While you may have heard at some point that Social Security is no longer taxable after 70 or some other age, this isn't the case. In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level.

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

You can receive Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, we'll reduce your benefit if you start receiving benefits before your full retirement age. For example, if you turn age 62 in 2024, your benefit would be about 30% lower than it would be at your full retirement age of 67.

But, if you claim early retirement benefits at age 62 (or 63, 64, 65, or 66) and continue to work, be aware that the money you earn over a certain amount each year will reduce your Social Security retirement benefits (until you reach full retirement age).

What is the max you can earn if you take Social Security at 62? ›

The earnings limit increases (to $56,520 in 2023) for the calendar year in which you'll reach full retirement age. Starting in the month you hit your full retirement age, there is no longer an earnings limit. Your benefits will no longer be reduced regardless of how much income you have.

A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent. Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.

When you work for yourself, you can work hours without receiving an hourly wage. In that case, the SSA will look at how many hours you've worked, plus your monthly income. Social Security typically allows up to 45 hours of work per month if you're self-employed and on SSDI. That comes out to around 10 hours per week.

The earning limits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit recipients have increased for 2023. The current limit is $2,460 per month for blind individuals and $1,470 for non-blind individuals. Recipients must also be aware of the monthly income amounts that might trigger a trial work period (TWP).

Starting in the month you hit your full retirement age, there is no longer an earnings limit. Your benefits will no longer be reduced regardless of how much income you have.

You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.