Does SS income count toward earnings limit when collecting Social Security before FRA?

The earnings limit only counts wages from work or net earnings from self-employment. Your Social Security benefits are NOT counted toward the earnings limit. For 2025, if you're under full retirement age for the entire year, the annual limit is around $22,300 (they adjust it yearly). So you can earn up to that amount from your job without any reduction in benefits. Anything over that, they'll withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit.

my uncle said they count EVERYTHING as income even ur 401k and pension!! thats what happened to him last yr

This is a great question that confuses many people. To be absolutely clear: The earnings limit ONLY applies to earned income (wages from a job or net earnings if you're self-employed). Your Social Security benefits are NOT counted toward this limit. However, be aware of a few other important points: 1. In the year you first retire, SSA uses a monthly earnings test rather than annual 2. The earnings limit increases substantially in the year you reach your FRA 3. Once you reach your FRA, there is NO earnings limit at all 4. The earnings limit typically increases each year with inflation Make sure you report your expected earnings to SSA when you apply so they can withhold appropriately. Otherwise, you might get an overpayment notice later.

I got BURNED by this last year!!! Nobody told me about the earnings limit and I had to pay back almost $9,500 to Social Security. Make absolutely SURE you estimate your income correctly and tell them in advance!!! They will come after every penny.

I went through this exact situation when I started collecting at 62 while still working part-time. Others have given you correct information - only your wages count toward the earnings limit, not your SS benefits. What's annoying is how hard it is to get clear answers from SSA directly. I spent weeks trying to get through to someone on the phone who could explain this to me. After getting disconnected three times and waiting on hold for hours, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Worth it to get definitive answers about your specific situation rather than general advice. The agent I spoke with gave me a detailed breakdown of exactly how much I could earn.

my sister says the limit is different if ur divorced vs married??? is that true??

Something no one's mentioned that tripped me up - they count GROSS earnings before any deductions. I thought they'd only count my take-home pay but nope! They count the full amount before taxes, health insurance, 401k, etc. Keep that in mind when budgeting.

Actually I think they also count investment incom and rental properties too. That's what the form says under 'earnings' right???

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! To summarize what I've learned: only my work income counts toward the earnings limit (about $22,300 for 2025), NOT my Social Security benefits. And they use the gross amount before deductions. I really appreciate all the clarification - this makes my retirement planning much easier. I'll be sure to report my expected earnings accurately when I apply next year to avoid any surprises.