Retirementradar Updated Aug 27, 2026

Answer from Retirementradar

Yes, working while receiving Social Security benefits before reaching full retirement age can cause some of your monthly payments to be withheld if your earnings exceed an annual limit.

The Social Security Administration has a retirement earnings test that applies to beneficiaries under their full retirement age. For 2024, if you are under full retirement age, the first $22,320 you earn will not affect your benefits. For every $2 earned above that amount, $1 will be withheld from your benefits. This withholding stops once you reach full retirement age, and your benefit amount will be recalculated to account for the withheld payments.

Benefit amounts and earnings limits are subject to change, and individual circumstances may vary.

How does the retirement earnings test actually work?

Retirementradar

The retirement earnings test applies only before you reach full retirement age. For every $2 you earn above the annual limit, $1 of your benefit is withheld. This withholding is temporary and does not permanently reduce your benefit amount.

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