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!

This is such a great discussion and really highlights how confusing the Social Security system can be! As someone who just went through this process myself, I can confirm what everyone has said - once you reach your FRA, you're golden. I waited until my FRA at 66 and 8 months to start collecting while continuing to work full-time. Been doing it for 8 months now with zero issues. The key is being absolutely certain about your exact FRA date - don't guess, check your official Social Security statement. One tip I'd add: if you're planning to work several more years after starting benefits, consider opening a separate savings account for the tax portion of your SS benefits. I automatically transfer about 20% of each SS payment to cover the additional taxes. Makes April much less stressful! Also, definitely take advantage of any employer 401k matching while you're still working - it's free money on top of your SS benefits.

As someone who works in HR and helps employees navigate retirement questions, I can confirm everything that's been shared here is accurate. The FRA earnings limit elimination is one of the best-kept secrets in retirement planning! Just wanted to add a practical tip: when you do start collecting while working, make sure to update your W-4 with your employer. Since you'll now have two income sources (salary + SS), you'll likely need to have additional federal taxes withheld from your paycheck to avoid underpayment penalties. Also, if your employer offers a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can continue contributing to it as long as you're not enrolled in Medicare. HSAs are triple tax-advantaged and can be a great way to save for healthcare costs in retirement, especially with the higher income you'll have from working + SS benefits. The combination of full-time work and SS benefits at FRA is really a sweet spot financially - you're maximizing your earning potential while your benefits are locked in at 100%. Smart planning on your part!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation - approaching FRA at 66 and 8 months next year and planning to keep working. One question I haven't seen addressed: if I delay filing for Social Security beyond my FRA to get the delayed retirement credits (8% per year until age 70), do the earnings limits still not apply during those delay years? I'm assuming no limits since I'd be past FRA, but want to make sure I understand correctly. Also, for those who mentioned the tax implications - has anyone calculated roughly what percentage of your combined income (salary + SS) ends up going to federal taxes? I'm trying to budget for this and wondering if the standard tax tables still apply or if there are special considerations for SS recipients who are still working. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight that's so hard to find elsewhere!

This has been such an excellent thread! As someone who recently went through the SSA application process at my FRA, I want to echo what everyone has said about the earnings limit disappearing completely once you reach full retirement age. One thing I'd add from my experience: when you do apply for benefits while still working, the SSA application will ask about your employment and estimated earnings. Don't let this worry you - they're just collecting information, not applying any limits since you're at FRA. I remember being concerned about this question, but the representative assured me it's just for their records and tax reporting purposes. Also, I highly recommend keeping good records of your monthly SS payments and any pay stubs from your job. It makes tax preparation much easier, and if you ever need to reference your earnings history for benefit recalculations, you'll have everything organized. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you can earn unlimited income while receiving full benefits is incredible. It really does feel like the best of both worlds - the security of your SS benefits plus the ability to continue building wealth through employment. Congratulations on reaching this milestone!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in almost the exact same situation - turning 66 and 10 months in about 8 months and really stressed about whether I could keep working. My employer has been hinting they'd love for me to stay on past what they thought was my "retirement age," but I wasn't sure if it would mess up my Social Security benefits. Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief. It sounds like I can truly have the best of both worlds - my full SS benefits plus my salary with no reductions or penalties. The tax planning advice is incredibly valuable too. I definitely need to start thinking about adjusting my withholdings and maybe setting up that separate account for the tax portion like someone mentioned. Has anyone here had experience with how their employer handled the transition? I'm wondering if HR departments are generally familiar with employees who collect SS while continuing to work, or if this might be new territory for them too. I want to have a productive conversation with them about staying on, but I want to make sure I understand all the implications first. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information!

This is such a comprehensive discussion! As someone who's been researching this topic extensively, I want to add one more perspective that might be helpful. I've been working with a financial planner who specializes in Social Security strategies, and they emphasized something really important: even though there's no earnings limit at FRA, you should still notify your payroll department about starting Social Security benefits. Not because of any SS restrictions, but because you'll want to optimize your tax withholding strategy from day one. My planner suggested using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator (on the IRS website) once you know your expected SS benefit amount. This tool can help you figure out exactly how much additional federal tax to have withheld from your paycheck to avoid quarterly estimated payments or a big tax bill next April. Also, don't forget about state taxes! Depending on your state, your Social Security benefits might be partially taxable at the state level too, even if you're still working. Some states don't tax SS benefits at all, while others have various exemptions or thresholds. The combination of working income plus SS benefits really is amazing financially - you just want to make sure you're handling the tax piece properly from the start rather than scrambling later. Best of luck with your transition!

What an incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted, I felt compelled to jump in because I'm facing almost the identical situation as the original poster. I'm turning 66 and 10 months in September and have been absolutely paralyzed by conflicting information about earnings limits. My coworkers keep telling me horror stories about people losing their Social Security benefits because they kept working, but reading through all these responses has been such a relief. The consensus is crystal clear - once you reach your Full Retirement Age, there are NO earnings limits whatsoever. Period. I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their real experiences and practical advice. I especially appreciate the tax planning tips that several people mentioned. I hadn't really considered how having two income sources would affect my withholding, so I'll definitely be using that IRS Tax Withholding Estimator tool and probably consulting with a tax professional before I start collecting. One small addition to this wealth of information: for anyone who's worried about the timing like I was, you can actually apply for Social Security benefits up to 4 months before your FRA. So if you're turning 66 and 10 months in September, you could apply as early as May, and your benefits would start in September when you actually reach FRA. This gives you time to get everything processed without any risk of early filing penalties. This community is amazing - thank you all for taking the time to help fellow members navigate these complex decisions!

As someone who works as a benefits counselor and helps people navigate Social Security applications daily, I want to reinforce what everyone has correctly shared here - there is absolutely no earnings limit once you reach your Full Retirement Age. I see so many people delay filing because they're worried about earnings limits, not realizing this rule only applies before FRA. You're making a smart decision to file right at 66 and 10 months while continuing to work. One thing I'd add from my professional experience: when you do file your application, there's a section where they ask about expected earnings. Many applicants get nervous seeing this question and think they're doing something wrong by reporting high earnings. Don't worry! At FRA, they're only collecting this information for tax reporting purposes (they'll send you a 1099-SSA at year end) and to determine if any benefit recalculations are needed based on your continued work history. Also, I strongly recommend setting up a my Social Security account online if you haven't already. Once you start receiving benefits, you can track your payments, view your annual statements, and even see if your benefit amount increases due to continued earnings - all without having to call their notoriously busy phone lines. The combination of full SS benefits plus your salary is truly one of the best financial positions you can be in. Congratulations on reaching this milestone!

This thread has been absolutely incredible! As someone who just turned 66 and is approaching my FRA of 66 and 2 months in a few months, I've been wrestling with the exact same decision about when to file and whether to keep working. What strikes me most about this discussion is how consistent everyone's advice has been - both from personal experience and professional perspectives. The message is crystal clear: once you reach your Full Retirement Age, you can earn unlimited income while receiving your full Social Security benefits. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I especially appreciate the practical tips that have emerged throughout this conversation - setting up automatic transfers for tax withholding, using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, updating your W-4 with your employer, and keeping detailed records for potential benefit recalculations. These are the real-world details that make all the difference in actually executing this strategy successfully. The point about being able to apply up to 4 months before your FRA while having benefits start at your actual FRA is also brilliant - I hadn't realized this was possible and it definitely takes the pressure off the timing aspect. For anyone else reading this thread who's in a similar situation, this discussion has convinced me that reaching FRA while continuing to work truly is hitting the retirement jackpot. You get the security of guaranteed Social Security income plus the ability to keep building wealth through employment. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this community is invaluable!

This has been such an educational thread! As someone who's been putting off making decisions about Social Security because the information online seemed so contradictory, reading through everyone's experiences and expertise has been incredibly clarifying. I'm 65 and will reach my FRA of 66 and 6 months next year. I've been so worried about the earnings limit that I was actually considering retiring earlier than I wanted to, just to avoid any complications with my benefits. But seeing the unanimous consensus here - that there are absolutely NO earnings limits once you reach FRA - is such a relief! The practical advice throughout this thread is gold. I'm definitely going to start preparing now by researching tax withholding strategies, setting up that my Social Security account online, and having conversations with both my HR department and a tax professional. The idea of automatically setting aside a portion of SS benefits for taxes is brilliant and something I'll definitely implement. What really impressed me is how this community came together to provide not just the basic answer, but all the nuanced details that make the difference between knowing the rule and successfully implementing the strategy. From timing the application to optimizing taxes to understanding benefit recalculations - this thread covers everything someone in this situation needs to know. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. You've helped turn what felt like an overwhelming decision into a clear path forward. This really is the best online community for getting real, practical advice on these complex topics!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic to read through! I'm in a very similar situation - approaching my FRA at 66 and 10 months next year and feeling much more confident about my decision to keep working after seeing all the consistent advice here. What really stands out to me is how this discussion evolved from a simple question about earnings limits into such a comprehensive resource covering every aspect of this decision. The unanimous message is clear: no earnings limits whatsoever once you reach FRA, plus all the practical considerations for making this strategy work smoothly. I'm taking notes on several key action items based on everyone's advice: setting up the my Social Security account online, using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator tool, planning conversations with HR about W-4 adjustments, and potentially working with a tax professional given the complexity of having dual income sources. The peace of mind that comes from hearing so many real-world success stories - people actually living this combination of full SS benefits plus continued employment - is invaluable. It's transformed what felt like a risky financial decision into what's clearly an optimal strategy for those able to work past their FRA. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, professional expertise, and practical tips. This community really is incredible for getting reliable, detailed guidance on these major life transitions. I feel so much more prepared and confident about my upcoming decision thanks to this discussion!

This has been such an incredibly helpful and comprehensive discussion! As someone who's been researching this exact situation for months, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their real-world experiences and professional insights. I'm approaching my FRA of 66 and 8 months next year and have been torn between filing immediately versus waiting, especially with concerns about earnings limits. Reading through all these responses has completely clarified the decision - once you reach FRA, there are absolutely no earnings limits, period. The practical advice throughout this thread is invaluable. I'm definitely going to implement several suggestions: setting up automatic transfers for tax withholding (love that 20% rule of thumb!), using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator, updating my W-4, and establishing that my Social Security account online. The tip about being able to apply up to 4 months before your FRA while having benefits start at the actual FRA date is also brilliant for timing. What strikes me most is how this strategy truly offers the best of both worlds - guaranteed Social Security income for peace of mind, plus continued earning potential and benefits like 401k matching. The tax planning aspect requires attention, but with proper preparation it's totally manageable. This community is amazing for providing not just answers, but comprehensive guidance for successfully implementing these important financial decisions. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!