Social Security earnings limit confusion after turning 70 - still restricted with part-time work?
I'm totally confused about the earnings limit with Social Security at my age. I took my retirement benefits at my full retirement age (67) back in 2022. Now I'm 70 and started working part-time at my nephew's landscaping business this year. Someone at church told me I still have an annual limit on how much I can earn before they reduce my SS benefits, but my daughter says that's completely wrong. I'm getting conflicting advice everywhere! What's the actual rule for someone my age? Is there still an earnings limit at 70 or does that go away? I'm making about $1,300 a month right now but might pick up more hours in the summer. Don't want to mess up my benefits!
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Aliyah Debovski
Good news! There is NO earnings limit once you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA). Since you're 70 and started collecting at 67 (which was your FRA), you can earn unlimited income without any reduction to your Social Security retirement benefits. The earnings limit only applies to people who collect SS retirement benefits before their FRA. Once you hit FRA, that restriction disappears completely. Work as many hours as you want at your nephew's business - it won't affect your monthly SS payment at all. The SSA won't reduce your benefits regardless of how much you earn.
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Ally Tailer
•Oh thank goodness! I was so worried I might have to pay some back. My friend kept insisting there was still some kind of limit. So I can just earn whatever without calling SS or filling out any special forms? That's a huge relief!
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Miranda Singer
my sister thought the same thing last year!! she was working at dollar general and quit because she thought she'd lose benefits. such a waste because she was right at 70 too. the SSA should send everyone a letter explaining this better.
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Cass Green
•They actually DO send notices explaining this in the annual benefits statement mailings, but honestly who reads all that government fine print? I just look at the benefit amount and toss the rest lol. But yeah, once you hit FRA there's no limit whatsoever.
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Finley Garrett
This is one of the most common misunderstandings about Social Security! The earnings limit COMPLETELY DISAPPEARS once you reach your Full Retirement Age. At 70, you're well past that point, so you can earn unlimited income with absolutely no impact on your benefits. Two things to remember though: 1. Your SS benefits might become partially taxable depending on your combined income (up to 85% could be taxable if your combined income is high enough) 2. If you're on Medicare, higher income might increase your Part B and Part D premiums (IRMAA surcharges) But as far as the actual benefit amount - work as much as you want with no reduction!
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Ally Tailer
•Thanks for mentioning taxes - I didn't even think about that part. Do you know what income level would trigger taxes on my SS benefits? And what exactly is IRMAA? Never heard of that before.
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Finley Garrett
•For taxation of benefits, it depends on your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your SS benefits): - If filing individually with combined income between $25,000-$34,000, up to 50% of benefits may be taxable - Above $34,000, up to 85% of benefits may be taxable IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It's an extra charge added to Medicare Part B and D premiums for higher-income beneficiaries. For 2025, the standard income threshold starts around $97,000 for individuals (higher for married couples).
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Madison Tipne
The person at your church is WRONG! They're probably thinking about the rule for people UNDER full retirement age. My husband and I both work part-time and collect our full SS benefits - he's 72 and I'm 69. No reductions at all! BUT WATCH OUT FOR TAXES! We learned this the hard way. You might have to pay federal taxes on up to 85% of your benefits depending on your total income. We had to start making quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid a big bill at tax time!!!
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Holly Lascelles
•this is y the system is so frustrating!!! nobody explains this stuff clearly. i got hit with a huge tax bill last year too because i didnt know about this. SS benefits should just be tax free period. why are they taxing benefits we already paid into our whole lives?????? double taxation!
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Malia Ponder
When I tried calling SSA to ask a similar question last month, I spent HOURS trying to get through to someone. Kept getting disconnected or put on eternal hold. Finally I tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed there's absolutely no earnings limit after full retirement age - you can make millions and still get your full SS benefit. But they did warn me about the tax implications and potential Medicare premium increases if your income goes too high.
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Ally Tailer
•Thanks for the tip about Claimyr. I might check that out if I need to talk to someone at SSA in the future. The last time I called I gave up after waiting 90 minutes! Good to have another confirmation about the earnings limit too.
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Cass Green
I think what you're friend is confusing is SSI and regular Social Security retirement. SSI does have income limits at any age because it's a need-based program. But retirement benefits that you earned through working have no limits once you hit full retirement age (which is 67 for people born after 1960).
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Aliyah Debovski
•Good point about the SSI vs. retirement benefits distinction! That's a common source of confusion. To clarify for everyone: SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is needs-based with strict income/asset limits at ANY age, while Social Security retirement benefits have earnings limits ONLY before FRA. The original poster is clearly on retirement benefits, not SSI, based on their work history and age.
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Finley Garrett
If you're concerned about any potential issues with your benefits, I'd recommend creating an account on my.ssa.gov if you haven't already. You can see your exact benefit amounts, payment history, and estimated future benefits all in one place. The website also contains official information about earnings limits (which, again, don't apply to you at age 70). As others have mentioned, the only financial considerations are potential taxation of benefits and possible Medicare premium adjustments (IRMAA) if your income exceeds certain thresholds.
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Ally Tailer
•I do have an online account and check it pretty regularly. I'm going to go read through those rules about taxation just to be sure I understand everything correctly. Better to be prepared than surprised at tax time!
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Miranda Singer
my dad worked full time till he was 75!! made good money too and still got his full ss check every month no problem
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Holly Lascelles
They change these rules all the time tho. You should double check with SS directly. I wouldn't trust internet advice for something this important. My brother got wrong info from his friend and it cost him thousands.
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Finley Garrett
•This particular rule about no earnings limit after FRA has actually been consistent for many years. It's codified in the Social Security Act and would require Congressional action to change. While some aspects of Social Security do change annually (like COLA adjustments, tax thresholds, etc.), the fundamental policy that earnings limits disappear at FRA has remained stable. But I agree it's always good to verify important information directly with SSA.
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