What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits . . . Home Frequently Asked Questions Topics KA-01921 What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits? January 2, 2026 · En español You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits Starting with the month you reach full
Benefits Planner: Retirement | Receiving Benefits While Working | SSA How Much Can I Earn and Still Get Benefits? When you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you are considered retired for our purposes You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits If you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than the yearly
How Work Affects Your Benefits You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time But, if you’re younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced The amount that your benefits are reduced, however, isn’t lost Your benefit will increase at your full retirement age to account for benefits withheld due to earlier earnings Spouses and
Benefits Planner: Retirement | Special Earnings Limit Rule | SSA There’s a limit on how much you can earn and still receive your full Social Security retirement benefits while working Some people who file for benefits mid-year have already earned more than their yearly earnings limit amount We have a special rule for this situation The special rule lets us pay a full Social Security check for any whole month we consider you retired, regardless of your
Working While Disabled: How We Can Help Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments And, if you can’t continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can start again — and you may not have to file a new application Work incentives include:
What is the special rule about earnings in the first year of retirement . . . There is a special rule that applies to earnings for 1 year, usually the first year of retirement Under this rule, you can get a full Social Security benefit for any whole month you are retired and earnings are below the monthly limit It is important to note that you cannot perform substantial services in self-employment during these months
SSI Income | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | SSA SSA Home Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSI Additional Information Understanding SSI SSI Income SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) INCOME WHAT IS INCOME? Income is any item an individual receives in cash or in-kind that can be used to meet his or her need for food or shelter Income includes, for the purposes of SSI, the receipt of any item which can be applied, either directly or by sale
Plan for Retirement | SSA Estimate your benefit amount, determine when to apply, and explore other factors that may affect your retirement planning