You May Be Able to Work and Receive Social Security Benefits
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: May 22, 2025
“Can I work and get benefits?” is perhaps one of the most common questions we’re asked. The answer depends on your age and your earnings.
Our rules about working and getting retirement, spouse, or survivor benefits are based on earnings limits. If you’re getting benefits now (or will in the future) and plan to work, you should understand these limits so you can avoid being overpaid.
When you receive benefits from us, you must report any changes that could affect your eligibility or payment amount. That includes changes in your work. Overpayments can occur if you underestimate your earnings or don’t report your earnings in a timely fashion.
Note: If you receive Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments, different rules apply. You must report all your earnings to us.
Annual earnings limits
These are the earnings rules if you receive retirement, spouse, or survivor benefits.
- If you are younger than full retirement age (referred to as FRA) for the entire year, you can earn up to $23,400 in 2025, and your benefits will not be reduced. If you told us you expect to earn more than $23,400 in 2025, we will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above the annual limit.
- If you reach FRA in 2025, you can earn up to $62,160 between January and your birthday month. We will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 you earn above $62,160 until the month you reach FRA.
- If you are full retirement age or older, there is no earnings limit.
Only your wages count toward the earnings limit. We don’t count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans or other government benefits. If you’re self-employed, we consider only your net earnings from self-employment.
Special monthly rule
If you retire mid-year, you may already have earned more than the annual earnings limit ($23,400 in 2025). That’s why there is a special rule that may apply the first year of retirement. Under this rule, your benefits will not be reduced if you earn less than $1,950 in each of the remaining months.
For examples of how the rules work, read “How Work Affects Your Benefits.” You may also want to use our earnings test calculator to determine how your earnings could affect your benefit payments.
We adjust your benefits based on the earnings estimate you provided. If your earnings will be different from what you originally told us, let us know right away by calling 1-800-772-1213. Timely reporting of any changes can help us pay you the correct amount. Next year your employer will report to us your actual 2025 earnings. If you receive payments you aren’t eligible for, we’re required by law to adjust your benefits or recover the overpayment.
Your benefits may increase based on your earnings
If we withhold some of your benefits due to your earnings, your benefit amount will increase when you reach FRA.
Your earnings from work may also increase your monthly amount. Each year we automatically review the records for everyone getting benefits who work. If your latest year of earnings are one of your highest years, we’ll refigure your benefit and pay you any increase you are due.
To learn more, visit our Receiving Benefits While Working page.
Please help us spread the message by sharing this information with your family, friends and others who may want to work and get Social Security.
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Darlene O.
Please provide training to the employees. I am an advocate and help clients file applications for retirement and survivor benefits. Too often my clients are encouraged not to file for benefits when they make over the annual limit even if though some benefits could still be paid after applying the earnings test. They do not understand the ET or an ARF.
Jhames A.
What age can I file for or start getting retirement benefits?
No other self employment income however, some income from few small investments.
More than 10% disability from military.
Please enlighten me.
bob
Age 62 is the earliest you can start drawing Social Security. You lose 8% for every year you start drawing earlier than your FRA (full retirement age, age between 66 -67 years old depending on your birth year).
Miguel A.
I am unable to access my SSA information because of the changes to logging in. I sent an email days ago and I am yet to receive a response.
Thomas J.
What is the annual earnings for someone SSDI ?
Hari b.
if I received my social security disability benefits after for past due and over payment disability benefits payments and I am going return back to my work I want my work ticket
Cosette
This is great news. I’m receiving a SS monthly payment and am retirement age 69.
I’ve been hired for a job to begin June 2nd and I was wondering if it would affect the amount of SS I receive.
Polo G.
No, it will not affect your SS benefit. You are past the Full Retirement Age, so there is no limit on what you can earn.
Jose R.
The Social Security Act allows for amendments and adjustments, and the government can modify the system over time, as noted by the Social Security Administration. This flexibility is recognized by the Supreme Court and is a key factor in the system’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Thank you
Johm L.
Thank you.
Audrie C.
Thanks for the info
Commenter
There is one caveat to this, the federal income tax rate that you will be charged for any combined income of $25,000 up to $34,000, 50% of your social security income will be taxed at the current year tax rate. If your combined income is over $34,000, 85% of your social security income will be taxed at the current year tax rate. You will also need to verify what your resident state tax laws require, if anything, for income tax withholding based on your combined income. This kind of taxation, tax on the earned income plus tax on the percentage of social security income that is deemed as taxable income, leaves little of that earned income coming into pocket, possibly making it not worth it to go back to work and rather just volunteer in order to stay busy.
Annie O.
Don’t forget the social security tax you still have to pay on any earned income even if you’re retired on social security–and you have to pay it all if you don’t have an employer to split it with. 🙁 AARP has a decent free tax calculator on their site (membership not needed to use it) that might help you get an idea of what working will cost you if you have a good idea of what your tax info will look like and it even break down what the taxes are for. Caveat is that you need to be able to estimate pretty close what your various income and other factors will be for the full year.