Social Security earnings limit after FRA at 66 and 10 months while still working - will I lose benefits?

Good news! Once you reach your full retirement age (66 and 10 months in your case), there is NO earnings limit. You can earn any amount at your job and still receive your full Social Security retirement benefit. The earnings limit only applies before you reach FRA. If you were collecting before your FRA, then the 2025 limit would apply: $22,560 per year ($1,880 per month), and SS would deduct $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. There's also a higher limit in the year you reach FRA, but since you're waiting until your exact FRA, none of these limits will affect you. You don't need to notify SSA about your employment after reaching FRA. Just be aware that your earnings may make a portion of your Social Security benefits taxable on your federal income tax return if your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your SS benefits) exceeds certain thresholds.

The previous commenter is 100% correct. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which for you is 66 and 10 months, there is absolutely NO earnings limit. You can make $1 million and it won't reduce your Social Security benefits at all. However, I want to clarify something important: If you're planning to file exactly at your FRA, be careful about the timing. If you file even one month before reaching 66 and 10 months, you'll be subject to the earnings limit for that month. Also, while your benefits won't be reduced, your combined income (your wages + half your Social Security + other taxable income) will likely make 85% of your Social Security benefits subject to federal income tax. This doesn't mean 85% is taken away - it just means that 85% of your benefit amount becomes part of your taxable income. Since you'll be earning both your salary and SS benefits, you might want to consider adjusting your tax withholding to avoid a surprise tax bill.

I started collecting SS at 67 last year and kept working my hospital job. No problems with my benefits - I get the full amount every month. But yeah, taxes are a pain now! I had to increase my withholding because I got hit with a big tax bill last April. Something to plan for!

@johnsmith3245 (to clarify for the previous commenter): There are TWO different situations: 1. BEFORE Full Retirement Age: There IS a limit ($22,560/year for 2025) 2. AFTER reaching Full Retirement Age: There is NO limit Since you're turning 63, you're in category #1. The earnings limit applies to you. If you earn over $22,560 at Walmart in 2025, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. This is different from the original poster who will be at their Full Retirement Age and won't have any earnings limit.

JUST SO YOU KNOW - I called Social Security about this exact question last month and was on hold for FOUR HOURS before getting disconnected!!! Tried again the next day and same thing happened. The entire system is designed to make it IMPOSSIBLE to get accurate information. They want you to just give up!!! I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) after my neighbor recommended it. They got me connected to an SSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. The agent confirmed there's no earnings limit after FRA. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Worth it to get REAL answers directly from SSA instead of random internet advice (no offense to anyone here).

my sister inlaw works at Macys and collectes her SS check no problem. shes 68 tho. i think the rules are different depending on when you were born. the government keeps changing things every year so who knows what the rule will be next year lol

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I spoke with an SSA agent yesterday (used that Claimyr service - it really worked!) and confirmed everything you've all told me. Since I'm claiming at exactly my FRA (66 and 10 months), there will be no earnings limit. The agent also suggested I should set up quarterly estimated tax payments or increase my withholding at work to cover the additional tax liability. Apparently, many people forget about this and end up with a surprise tax bill. One more question - will continuing to work after FRA increase my benefit amount over time?

One thing nobody mentioned - make sure you sign up for Medicare at 65 even if you're still working! That's separate from your SS retirement benefits. I missed the deadline and had to pay penalties. Don't make my mistake!

To summarize what everyone has correctly stated: 1. At your Full Retirement Age (66 and 10 months): No earnings limit whatsoever 2. Before FRA in 2025: $22,560 annual limit with $1 deduction for every $2 earned above limit 3. In the year you reach FRA in 2025 (months before your FRA): $59,520 limit with $1 deduction for every $3 earned above limit The most important thing is to be precise about your filing date. File exactly at 66 and 10 months or later to avoid any earnings limit issues. Also, keep in mind that working longer may increase your benefit through annual recalculations if your current earnings replace lower years in your work history. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement benefits while maintaining your career!