Can I work unlimited hours while collecting Social Security at FRA? Self-employment vs regular employment confusion

The confusion is about earnings limits, not specifically hours worked. Here's how it actually works: 1. In the months BEFORE you reach FRA (January-March 2025 for you), you're subject to the monthly earnings limit ($1,850/month for 2025) 2. Once you reach FRA in April 2025, you can earn unlimited income without ANY reduction in benefits - regardless of whether you're self-employed OR a W-2 employee Self-employment does have additional scrutiny, but not an hours limit per se. The SSA might look at your work activity to determine if you've truly "retired" when you're self-employed. This mostly matters for disability benefits though, not retirement.

my sister had the same question last year!! she worked part time at walmart while starting SS and they never asked her about hours just how much $$$ she made. once she hit her FRA date she went back to full time and gets her full social security check every month no problem

I got bit by this exact issue!!! I started benefits 5 months before my FRA and kept working at my accounting practice. I had NO IDEA about the earnings limit and ended up with a $7,400 overpayment notice because I earned too much. The worst part is they take it all back at once if they can - not monthly! Be SUPER careful about those 3 months before your FRA. After FRA, yes you can work as much as you want with no penalty. But those few months before - watch out!

Actually I think the rules are different for people who are SELF employed vs regular jobs. My neighbor had an issue with this. Something about "substantial services" if your self employed. Theres some kind of 45 hour per month rule if your a business owner or something??? Not sure how that works exactly but regualr jobs just have the earning limit like others said.

To clarify the confusion: For RETIREMENT benefits (which is what you're applying for), the only thing that matters is the earnings limit before FRA. Once you reach FRA, unlimited earnings are allowed regardless of employment type. The "substantial services" and hours worked guidelines for self-employment mainly apply to DISABILITY benefits (SSDI), not retirement benefits. This is a common point of confusion. For your situation: Just stay under $1,850/month for January-March 2025, then earn whatever you want starting April 2025 when you reach FRA.

One important note that hasn't been mentioned: Social Security counts EARNED income in the month it's earned, not when it's paid. So if you work in March but get paid in April, that income still counts for March regarding the earnings limit. And yes, after FRA, the earnings test disappears completely regardless of employment type. Work as much as you want, earn as much as you want. If you do exceed the limit in those first few months, you'll need to report the change to SSA. They'll recalculate your benefits and may apply an overpayment.

Just to add another point - if you're concerned about staying within those earnings limits for Jan-Mar, have you thought about delaying your benefits to start in April when you reach FRA? That would eliminate any risk of overpayments or reductions. Filing at FRA would also mean a higher monthly payment than filing 3 months early. Not a huge difference, but something to consider if you're still working anyway.

I spent THREE WEEKS trying to call Social Security to ask about this exact issue!!! Nobody ever picks up and when they do the line disconnects after waiting for an hour! So frustrating!!

Back to your original question - there is NO specific hours limit for any type of employment when collecting retirement benefits. The only thing that matters is the earnings limit before FRA. After FRA, you have no restrictions whatsoever - you can work 100 hours a week and earn millions if you want, with no impact on your Social Security retirement benefits. For those 3 months (Jan-Mar 2025), just keep your earnings under $1,850/month and you'll be fine. Or consider changing your filing date to April as someone suggested.