Receiving benefits from Social Security while continuing to work after retirement has many layers.

Last week on Regional Radio, we heard about earnings limits pertaining to annual limits. Jack Myers with Social Security says when it comes to monthly earnings limits, there is a special rule that applies in the first year of retirement.

According to Myers, in order for Social Security to apply this exclusion, your earnings must be below the monthly limit each month you want a benefit.  In 2025, that monthly limit is $1,950 if you are under full retirement age the whole calendar year.

When you collect benefits before full retirement age, your benefits are permanently reduced based on the number of months you are shy of full retirement age. Myers adds when you reach full retirement age, Social Security automatically looks back at your record to determine if it held or asked you to pay back any of those monthly payments due to excess earnings.  

For more information on these rules, visit www.ssa.gov and look for the publication called “How Work Affects Your Benefits”. 

If you want to learn about the rules for working while disabled, look for our publication called “Working While Disabled: How We Can Help.”