If you are under full retirement age for all of 2026, the annual earnings limit is $24,480. In the year you reach full retirement age, the higher limit is $65,160 and only earnings before the month you reach that age count.
If you are under full retirement age all year
SSA generally deducts $1 in benefits for every $2 of wages or net self-employment earnings above $24,480 in 2026. This is withholding under the retirement earnings test, not a tax or permanent dollar-for-dollar loss.
In the year you reach full retirement age
SSA generally deducts $1 for every $3 earned above $65,160 in the months before the month you reach full retirement age in 2026. Earnings beginning with the full-retirement-age month are not subject to the retirement earnings test.
After full retirement age
Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit for retirement-benefit purposes. You still pay applicable Social Security and Medicare taxes on covered work.
Know what counts as earnings
SSA generally counts wages from employment and net earnings from self-employment. It does not count pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans benefits, or other government or military retirement benefits for this earnings test.
A special monthly rule may apply in the first year
If you retire in the middle of a year after already earning above the annual limit, SSA may use a special monthly rule for whole months it considers you retired. Self-employment services also matter. Check the current monthly amount and facts with SSA.
Withheld months can affect the later amount
At full retirement age, SSA recalculates the monthly amount to account for months in which benefits were withheld under the earnings test. This is different from the permanent reduction caused by choosing to start retirement benefits early.
Report changes in expected earnings
Tell SSA if actual wages or self-employment earnings will be materially different from the estimate used for payments. Timely reporting can reduce the risk of an overpayment or unnecessary withholding.
The figures above apply to 2026 and were reviewed July 31, 2026. Check the current SSA limit for any later year.
Official sources
- SSA — Working while receiving retirement benefits
- SSA — Receiving benefits while working
- SSA — Special earnings limit rule