Can I work full-time and collect Social Security at my FRA without penalties?

Yes, you absolutely CAN work full-time while collecting Social Security once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA). There is NO earnings limit after FRA. Before FRA, there are earnings limits that can reduce benefits, but this completely goes away once you hit your FRA. So at 67, you can earn as much as you want without any reduction to your SS benefits. Just keep in mind that depending on your combined income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits might be subject to federal income tax. But that's a tax issue, not a benefit reduction.

my brother got his SS and kept working full time and it didnt affect his check at all. he said its the best of both worlds lol. but he did say something about paying more taxes because of it

The previous answers are correct. Just wanted to add some specific details: 1. At FRA, the earnings test completely disappears. You can earn unlimited income with no effect on your benefit amount. 2. If you claim benefits BEFORE your FRA, in 2025 the earnings limit is approximately $22,320 (they adjust it annually). For every $2 you earn above that limit, $1 is withheld from benefits. 3. In the year you reach FRA but before your birthday, there's a higher limit of about $59,520, and only $1 is withheld for every $3 over the limit. 4. Regarding taxes: if your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of SS benefits) exceeds $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (married filing jointly), up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable. Since you're earning $86,000, you'll definitely have some taxation on your SS benefits, but that's totally separate from the earnings test which won't apply to you at FRA.

I've been trying to contact SSA for WEEKS about this EXACT question and can't get through!!! Every time I call it's either busy signals or being on hold for hours only to get disconnected. So frustrating!!! Their offices are always packed when I try to go in person too. Has anyone found a better way to reach them? I need to apply in 3 months but have questions about working while collecting.

You've gotten good info, but I want to point out that while you CAN collect SS at your FRA while working, you might want to consider if you SHOULD. If you don't need the money right now, delaying your benefits past FRA increases them by 8% per year until age 70. That's a guaranteed 24% increase if you can wait from 67 to 70! Just something to think about if you're still earning good money and don't immediately need the SS income.

doesn't SS also look at your highest 35 years of earnings? so if your making good money now wouldn't that also increase your benefit amount?

After reading all the advice here, I'd suggest considering these options based on your $86,000 salary: 1. Claim at FRA (67) while continuing to work: You'll get your full SS benefit plus your salary, but will pay taxes on up to 85% of your SS benefits. 2. Delay claiming until 70 while working: Your SS benefit increases 8% annually until age 70 (24% total increase). If you don't need the money immediately, this provides a higher lifetime benefit, especially valuable if you expect longevity. 3. Hybrid approach: If you need some income but not all, you could consider reducing work hours and starting SS at FRA, or working full-time but delaying SS. Your current high salary will continue replacing lower-earning years in your SS calculation, potentially increasing your benefit regardless of when you claim.

Just wanted to add one more consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet - Medicare! Since you're turning 67, you should have already been eligible for Medicare at 65. If you're still getting health insurance through your employer and it's good coverage, that's another factor in your decision. Some people find that once they lose their employer health benefits, the Medicare + supplement costs change their financial picture. So when you're weighing whether to claim SS now vs. wait until 70, factor in your total compensation package including health benefits. Also, make sure you understand Medicare enrollment periods if you haven't signed up yet - there can be penalties for late enrollment depending on your employer coverage situation.

One thing I'd add to this great discussion is about spousal benefits if you're married. If your spouse is also nearing retirement age, your decision about when to claim could affect their benefits too. A higher-earning spouse delaying benefits until 70 can result in higher survivor benefits for the lower-earning spouse. Also, regarding the tax situation everyone's mentioned - you might want to consider doing some tax planning now. Since your SS benefits will likely be taxable at your income level, strategies like contributing more to traditional 401(k) or doing Roth conversions while you're still working could help manage your tax burden in retirement. The fact that you're still earning $86K annually puts you in a good position to make this choice based on what's optimal rather than what's necessary - that's a blessing many don't have!

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One resource that's been really helpful is the SSA's online retirement estimator tool - it lets you compare different claiming scenarios and see projected benefit amounts. You can model claiming at 67 vs waiting until 70 with your actual earnings history. Also, since you mentioned the SSA website isn't helping much, try looking at their Publication 05-10069 "How Work Affects Your Benefits" - it has clear examples and charts that break down the earnings test rules and what happens at different ages. Sometimes the publications are clearer than the main website pages. Given your $86K salary, you're definitely in that sweet spot where you have real options. The 8% delayed retirement credits until age 70 are essentially a guaranteed return that's hard to beat in today's market. But there's also something to be said for having that extra income security starting at 67, especially if you want the flexibility to potentially reduce work hours later.

Reading through all these responses, I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. I'm a federal employee who went through this exact decision process last year. One thing that really influenced my choice was considering my job satisfaction and stress levels. At 67, continuing to work full-time while collecting SS gave me incredible peace of mind - knowing I had that guaranteed income coming in made work feel much less stressful. I could focus on projects I enjoyed rather than worrying about job security or needing the paycheck. Also, don't forget about the Social Security earnings record updates. Since you're making $86K, those high earnings years will keep improving your benefit calculation even after you start collecting. So you're getting the benefit of higher future calculations PLUS the current payments. The tax hit is real (I pay taxes on about 85% of my SS benefits), but having both income streams has allowed me to maximize my 401k contributions and do some Roth conversions while I'm still working. My CPA says this positioning will actually save me money in the long run. Just another data point to consider - there's no single "right" answer, but having options is a great problem to have!

As someone who just went through this decision myself, I wanted to share what ultimately helped me choose. I was in almost the exact same situation - FRA of 67, good salary, and completely confused by all the conflicting advice. What finally clicked for me was realizing this isn't just a financial decision - it's also about lifestyle and risk tolerance. Yes, waiting until 70 gives you that guaranteed 8% annual increase, which is mathematically compelling. But there's also value in having that Social Security safety net starting at 67, especially if you love your job and want to keep working without the pressure of NEEDING to work. I ended up claiming at my FRA and continuing to work full-time. The peace of mind has been incredible. My work performance actually improved because I'm not stressed about job security anymore. Plus, I'm using the extra income to max out my retirement contributions and help my kids with their student loans. The tax situation isn't as scary as it sounds once you plan for it. Yes, I pay taxes on most of my SS benefits, but my overall financial picture is much stronger having both income streams. One practical tip: definitely use that SSA retirement estimator tool someone mentioned. Seeing the actual dollar amounts for different scenarios made the decision much clearer than all the theoretical discussions. Good luck with whatever you decide!

As someone who just turned 65 and is starting to think about these same decisions, this thread has been incredibly enlightening! I'm still two years away from my FRA, but reading everyone's experiences and advice is helping me plan ahead. One thing I'm curious about that hasn't been mentioned much - for those of you who decided to claim at FRA while continuing to work, how has it affected your employer's perception of you? I worry that once my employer knows I'm collecting Social Security, they might start viewing me as someone who's "one foot out the door" or be less likely to give me challenging assignments or promotions. Has anyone experienced any workplace dynamics changes after starting to collect SS while still working full-time? I love my job and want to keep growing professionally, but I'm concerned about potential age discrimination or assumptions about my commitment level. Also, @Kingston Bellamy, have you made a decision yet based on all this great advice? I'd love to hear what direction you're leaning toward!

Great thread! As someone who's been helping folks navigate SS decisions for years, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help with your decision-making process: 1. **Don't forget about state taxes** - While everyone's focused on federal taxation of SS benefits, some states also tax Social Security while others don't. Depending on where you live, this could influence your overall tax burden. 2. **Consider your health and family longevity** - The "break-even" point between claiming at FRA vs. waiting until 70 is usually around age 82-83. If you have good health and longevity runs in your family, waiting makes more sense mathematically. If not, claiming earlier provides more certainty. 3. **Emergency fund impact** - Having SS income starting at 67 can allow you to preserve more of your emergency savings and other investments, letting them continue growing instead of being your primary safety net. 4. **Employer benefits coordination** - Since you're still working, make sure you understand how your employer's benefits (especially any pension or 401k matching) interact with your SS claiming decision. The fact that you're asking these questions and thinking strategically puts you way ahead of most people approaching retirement. Whatever you decide, you're clearly doing your homework!

As someone who's been lurking here trying to figure out my own SS strategy, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm 64 and facing similar decisions in a few years. One aspect I haven't seen mentioned is the impact on your Social Security statement and projected benefits. Since you're still earning $86K annually, those earnings are likely higher than some of your earlier career years. Each year you continue working at this salary level could potentially increase your eventual benefit amount by replacing lower-earning years in your 35-year calculation. You can actually see this happening in real-time if you check your annual Social Security statement on ssa.gov. It shows your projected benefits at different claiming ages, and these numbers can change as you add more high-earning years. Also, for what it's worth, I know several people who claimed at FRA while continuing to work, and none of them regret it. The financial security it provides seems to outweigh the potential extra money from waiting until 70, especially when you factor in the intangible benefits like reduced stress and increased job satisfaction that others have mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight that's impossible to find on the official SSA website!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! As someone who's completely new to navigating Social Security decisions, I'm amazed by how much practical wisdom has been shared here. I'm still a few years away from my FRA, but reading about everyone's experiences and considerations is already helping me think through my own strategy. The point about this being both a financial AND lifestyle decision really resonates with me. It's clear that the "right" choice depends on so much more than just maximizing dollar amounts - things like stress levels, family situation, health considerations, and personal risk tolerance all play important roles. What strikes me most is how much more nuanced this decision is than I initially thought. Between the earnings test rules, tax implications, spousal benefits, Medicare coordination, and workplace dynamics, there are so many moving pieces to consider. For those of you who've shared your real experiences - whether you claimed at FRA or waited until 70 - thank you for providing actual outcomes rather than just theoretical advice. It's exactly what someone like me needs to hear when trying to plan ahead. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and will be checking out those SSA resources that were mentioned. This community is providing way better guidance than anything I've found through official channels!

As someone who just started receiving Social Security at my FRA while continuing to work full-time, I wanted to share my experience since it directly relates to your situation. I was earning about $90K annually when I turned 67 last year, and I was just as confused as you are about whether I could collect benefits without penalties. The good news is that everyone here is absolutely correct - there are NO earnings limits once you reach your FRA. I've been collecting my full monthly benefit for 8 months now while working full-time, and Social Security hasn't reduced my payments by a single penny. The tax situation is exactly as others described - I do pay federal taxes on about 85% of my SS benefits because of my income level, but that's just regular income tax, not a benefit reduction. My accountant helped me adjust my withholdings to handle the extra tax burden, and it's been manageable. What surprised me most was the psychological benefit that @Eloise Kendrick and @Nia Davis mentioned. Having that guaranteed monthly income has completely changed my relationship with work. I'm more relaxed, more creative, and honestly probably a better employee because I'm not constantly worried about job security or economic downturns. One practical tip: when you apply online (which I highly recommend to avoid those phone wait times!), you don't need to do anything special to indicate you're still working. Just apply normally and report your earnings on your annual tax return. Social Security will handle everything automatically. The decision between claiming at FRA vs waiting until 70 is personal, but for me, the peace of mind and financial flexibility of having both income streams has been absolutely worth it. Good luck with whatever you decide!