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When you choose to work after you retire, your earnings up to a certain level will have no effect on your Social Security retirement benefits. This is sometimes called the "earnings test." However, earnings that exceed the limit will reduce your benefit amount, as shown in this table.
| Your Age | Earnings Limit (Does Not Affect Benefits)* | After Limit is Reached |
Under full normal retirement age | Up to $22,320 per year for the months before the year when you reach full retirement age | For every $2.00 over the limit, $1.00 is withheld from your benefits in the months before you reach full retirement age |
Year you reach full normal retirement age | If you reach full normal retirement age in 2024, up to $59,520 per year for the months in 2024 before you reach full normal retirement age | For every $3.00 over the limit, $1.00 will be withheld from your benefits in the months before you reach full normal retirement age |
At or above full normal retirement age | No limit on earnings, including any months in or after the month you reach the normal retirement age |
*Amounts withheld from your benefits due to the earnings test are not permanently lost. Once you reach your full normal retirement age, your monthly benefit will be increased to account for the months your benefits were reduced while you were working before your full retirement age. You will not receive the full increase all at once. It will be spread out over time.
Learn more about the full normal retirement age and receiving your Social Security retirement benefits early on the Social Security Administration website.
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