Social Security asking about income after FRA - do earnings limits apply if I start benefits in 2025?

The SSA application system automatically asks everyone for income information regardless of your specific situation. Since you'll be past FRA when you start collecting in 2025, you're right that the earnings test won't apply to you. They simply need this information for their records and to verify you're eligible for the maximum benefit amount based on your earnings history. Nothing to worry about! Just provide accurate estimates and you'll be fine.

my brother went through this last year and got super stressed about the same thing!!! turns out its just part of their standard forms they ask evryone. he's making good $$ now and no reduction at ALL because hes over FRA

This is a common point of confusion. The SSA collects this information from everyone for a few reasons: 1. To determine if the earnings test should apply (doesn't in your case since you're past FRA) 2. To calculate any additional benefit increases you might receive from continued work 3. For statistical and record-keeping purposes Since you turned FRA in April 2024, the earnings test would have only applied to earnings BEFORE April in 2024 (and at a higher limit too). For 2025, since you're starting benefits after FRA, your earnings won't affect your benefit amount at all. Just be accurate with your estimates and you'll be fine. Your benefits won't be reduced regardless of how much you earn in 2025.

SSA ALWAYS wants to know everything about your money even when they dont need to!! Its all about CONTROL and MONITORING what we do!! Careful what you tell them because they'll use it against you later!!

I had this exact same concern when I filed last year! I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone at Social Security to explain why they needed my income info when I was already past FRA. The phone lines were constantly busy, and I kept getting disconnected. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real SSA agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed what others here are saying - it's just standard procedure and won't affect your benefits since you're past FRA. Saved me so much stress once I got a clear answer from an actual SSA employee.

Just wanted to chime in that my wife just went through this process. She's 67 and still working part-time. They asked about her income too, but it was just for their records. Since she's over FRA, she gets her full benefit check regardless of her earnings. No reductions at all. I think they just use the same form for everyone regardless of age or situation.

Just to add some technical detail here that might be helpful: The earnings test that limits benefits only applies in these situations: 1. If you're collecting benefits before your FRA, the annual earnings limit applies ($22,320 in 2024). 2. In the year you reach FRA, a higher limit applies only to earnings in the months BEFORE the month you reach FRA ($59,520 in 2024). 3. Once you reach FRA, there is NO earnings limit, period. Since you reached FRA in April 2024, and won't start benefits until February 2025, the earnings test doesn't affect you at all. The SSA collects this information from everyone because their forms are standardized and the same information is relevant to many other beneficiaries. Also, continuing to work might actually increase your benefit amount if these earnings are higher than some earlier years used in your benefit calculation.

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses! I'm going to finish my application now with a lot more confidence. It sounds like this is just standard procedure and nothing to worry about since I'll be well past my FRA when I start collecting in February. Really appreciate all the explanations!