Social Security earnings limit 2025: How much can I earn on SS retirement vs. SSDI?
I'm turning 63 next month and planning to start my SS retirement benefits, but I still want to work part-time. I've heard there's a limit on how much I can earn before they reduce my benefits, but I'm getting confused by all the different numbers online. Some websites mention one amount for people under FRA and another for the year you reach FRA? My neighbor says there's no limit once you hit 'full retirement age' which is 67 for me I think? Also, my sister is on SSDI (not retirement) and says she has a completely different earnings limit. Can someone explain how much I can actually make at my age (63) before they start reducing my Social Security checks? And is it different if you're on disability vs regular retirement?
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Natasha Petrov
The Social Security earnings limit is different depending on whether you're receiving retirement benefits or SSDI, and your age plays a big role too. For retirement benefits in 2025: - If you're under Full Retirement Age (FRA) the entire year: $22,750 annual limit (they deduct $1 from benefits for each $2 you earn above this) - In the year you reach FRA: $60,400 limit for months BEFORE reaching FRA (they deduct $1 for each $3 earned above this) - Once you reach FRA (67 for those born 1960 or later): NO EARNINGS LIMIT For SSDI (disability), it's completely different: - There's a Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit of $1,550/month for non-blind individuals - Going over this amount can cause you to lose SSDI benefits entirely Your sister is correct that SSDI has different rules than retirement benefits. At 63, you're under FRA, so you'd be subject to the $22,750 annual limit for retirement benefits.
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Javier Morales
•Thank you! This is really helpful. So if I understand right, since I'll be 63, I can earn up to $22,750 in 2025 before they start reducing my SS retirement? Do they count ALL income or just wages? I also get a small pension from a previous job.
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Connor O'Brien
I'm on SSDI and tried working part-time last year. BIG MISTAKE!! They count EVERY DOLLAR and if you go over that SGA amount even by a little bit they cut you off completely!!! Not like retirement where they just reduce it. With disability its all or nothing! They actually terminated my benefits when I made $1,600 one month (just $100 over) and I had to reapply. Took 4 months to get back on. The system is RIDICULOUS.
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Amina Diallo
•That's not entirely accurate. SSDI does have work incentives like Trial Work Period (TWP) where you can work 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) earning above SGA without losing benefits. After that, there's a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility. The rules are complicated but there are protections. You should speak with a Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) counselor before attempting work on SSDI.
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GamerGirl99
They also look at what month you earn the money not just the yearly total. My husband went over one month last year and got a letter saying they were withholding his whole check for that month even though he was under the annual limit. So confusing!
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Natasha Petrov
•You're right about SSA looking at monthly earnings for SSDI, but for retirement benefits they typically look at annual earnings. However, there's a special rule for the first year you claim retirement benefits where they do use a monthly test. After that first year, they switch to the annual test for retirement benefits.
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Hiroshi Nakamura
I've been dealing with this exact issue! Was on hold with Social Security for THREE HOURS last week trying to get clarification about the earnings limit since I'm working part-time while collecting early retirement. Finally gave up after being disconnected. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. The rep confirmed what the first commenter said - under FRA the 2025 limit is $22,750. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The SSA agent also told me they only count earned income (wages, self-employment) against the limit, not pensions or investment income.
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Javier Morales
•That's such a relief about pensions not counting! I'll check out that service if I need to call them. Did they tell you how they track your earnings? Do I need to report my income to them or do they just get it from my tax returns?
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Isabella Costa
my grandma works part time at walmart and collects ss shes 80 and theres no limit for her bc shes over the full retirement age thing
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Malik Jenkins
•yep once ur past FRA (which depends on birth year) u can earn as much as u want with no reduction! im turning 67 next yr and gonna FINALLY be able to work without SS taking my $$ away lol
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Javier Morales
Does anyone know if they average your income over the year? What if I go over the monthly amount sometimes but stay under the yearly total? I might get more hours during holiday seasons.
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Natasha Petrov
•For retirement benefits (after the first year), they look at your annual earnings, not monthly. So as long as your total for the year stays under $22,750, you should be fine even if some months are higher than others. Just make sure your annual total stays under the limit if you want to avoid any benefit reductions.
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Amina Diallo
There's an important distinction about the earnings limit that many people miss: if your benefits are reduced because you exceed the earnings limit before FRA, you're not actually losing that money permanently. SSA will recalculate your benefit amount when you reach FRA to give you credit for the months they reduced or withheld benefits. This results in a higher monthly benefit amount starting at FRA. Also, for the person who mentioned calling Social Security - if you need to reach them again, request a callback instead of staying on hold. When you call, press the right options to get to your topic, then when prompted for your SSN, don't enter it. This often routes you to a representative faster who can schedule a callback.
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GamerGirl99
•I tried the callback thing THREE times and they never called back! So frustrating trying to get through to them.
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Malik Jenkins
I got caught by this last year! Didn't know about the limit and ended up owing SS $4300 for overpayment because I went back to work part time. Now they're taking 10% of my check each month until it's paid back. Make SURE you stay under that limit or notify them right away if your income changes.
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Javier Morales
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about! Do you know if there's a way to report changes in your earnings during the year, or do they just figure it out after the fact?
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Natasha Petrov
To answer your follow-up question: Yes, you should proactively report significant income changes to Social Security throughout the year. You can do this by calling them directly or visiting your local office. Many people don't realize this, but if you expect to earn over the limit, you can ask SSA to start withholding some benefits in advance to avoid an overpayment situation. They can adjust your benefits throughout the year based on your estimated earnings. And regarding your pension question - correct, regular pension income doesn't count toward the earnings limit. Only wages from jobs and net earnings from self-employment count.
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Javier Morales
•That's really good to know! I'll definitely contact them if my income starts approaching the limit. Better to have them withhold some now than deal with an overpayment later. Thanks for all the helpful information!
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