Social Security earnings limit confusion - do limits reset at age 66 or wait until FRA in 2026?

The earnings test is more complicated than most people realize. For the year you reach your full retirement age (but before the actual month of FRA), you're under a higher earnings limit - about $59,520 for 2025. BUT the key point is the earnings limit only applies to earnings BEFORE the month you reach FRA. Once you reach the month of your FRA, there's NO earnings limit at all anymore, even if you haven't hit your exact FRA date yet. So in your case, once you turn 66 in April 2025, any earnings from May 2025 onward wouldn't count toward the limit. Only your January-April 2025 earnings of $42,000 would matter, which is below the threshold anyway.

no thats not right actually. the earnings limit stops in the MONTH you reach your FRA not just when u turn 66. those aren't the same thing anymore! your FRA is 67 and 2 months from what u said so u still have the limit until march 2026

The SSA rules around this are SO CONFUSING!! I went through this exact headache last year when I turned 66. Let me try to explain what I learned after like 5 hours of research and 3 calls to the SSA (which were super frustrating btw). There are actually TWO different earnings limits: 1. In years BEFORE the year you reach FRA: lower limit (about $21,240 in 2023) 2. In the year you reach FRA: much higher limit (about $56,520 in 2023) But here's the important part - for #2, they ONLY count earnings from January up to the MONTH you reach FRA, not your exact FRA date! So if your FRA is 67+2 months but you turn 66 in April 2025, you'd have: - Jan-Apr 2025: Higher earnings limit applies ($42k is fine) - May 2025 and beyond: NO LIMIT! Hope that helps someone... I nearly pulled my hair out figuring this out!

I finally got through to SSA last week about this exact question! I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) after being on hold for HOURS trying to reach someone at Social Security - they got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Anyway, the SSA agent confirmed what others here said: the earnings limit only applies up to the MONTH you reach FRA. So in your case, earnings after April 2025 won't count toward any limit, even though your actual FRA isn't until 2026. And since your pre-April earnings are below the threshold, you won't have any benefit reductions at all. The agent did mention they'll still want to review your earnings record in early 2026 when you file your 2025 taxes, just to verify everything.

Just be careful you don't mess up your medicare by working to long!! My sister kept working past 65 and now she has to pay extra for her part B for the rest of her life because of her income being to high!!!!

To give you the precise information: For someone turning 66 in April 2025 with FRA of 67+2 months, here's what applies: 1. From January through April 2025, the higher earnings limit applies (approximately $60,840 for 2025 based on projected COLA increases). 2. Starting May 1, 2025 (the month after you turn 66), there is NO earnings limit whatsoever, even though you haven't reached your full retirement age yet. 3. Your benefits will be permanently reduced by approximately 7.78% for claiming 14 months before your FRA. This reduction is separate from the earnings test. 4. The SSA will still review your 2025 earnings in 2026 after you file taxes to ensure your January-April earnings didn't exceed the limit. These rules are covered in the SSA Program Operations Manual System (POMS) section RS 02501.021.

To clear up the confusion once and for all: 1. The annual earnings test has different rules for 3 periods: - Before the year you reach FRA: Stricter limit (~$21k/year) - During the year you reach FRA, but before your FRA month: Higher limit (~$60k/year) - The month you reach FRA and beyond: NO LIMIT 2. FRA is your full retirement age (67+2 months for the OP) 3. The rule that's confusing everyone: The month you turn 66 is NOT necessarily related to these limits UNLESS 66 happens to be your FRA (which it isn't for anyone born after 1954) 4. For the OP, turning 66 in April 2025 but with FRA in March 2026: - Jan-Apr 2025: Higher earnings limit applies (during FRA year) - May 2025-Feb 2026: STILL has the higher earnings limit - March 2026 onward: No limit (reached FRA month) I apologize for my earlier mistake. Please refer to the SSA website for the official rules.

I need to correct some misinformation that's been shared. The earnings test rules are: 1. In years before the year you reach FRA: Lower limit applies 2. In the year you reach FRA: Higher limit applies, but ONLY counts earnings up to the MONTH you reach FRA 3. Month of FRA and after: No limit To be clear: The earnings test does NOT stop at age 66 for everyone. It stops in the month you reach your Full Retirement Age. For someone born in 1959 (like the OP appears to be), FRA is 66 and 10 months. So if they turn 66 in April 2025, their FRA would be February 2026. The earnings limit would apply to earnings from January 2025 through January 2026, and would stop completely in February 2026. I recommend checking the SSA's retirement planner for detailed information: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/whileworking.html

I want to clear up one final point of confusion here. The OP stated their FRA is 67 and 2 months (March 2026), but some responses are using different FRA calculations. For someone turning 66 in April 2025, if their FRA is indeed 67+2 months, that would make them born in January 1959, and their FRA would be February 2026 (66+10 months), not March 2026. However, taking the OP at their word that their FRA is March 2026, here's what applies: - January 2025 through February 2026: Higher earnings limit (~$60,000) applies - March 2026 and beyond: No earnings limit The key takeaway is that the earnings test stops in the MONTH you reach your actual FRA, not at age 66. I'd strongly recommend the OP verify their exact FRA date on their Social Security statement or by calling SSA, as this affects when the earnings limits end.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I just went through something similar. I turned 66 last year and was in the same boat with all the conflicting information online. What I learned from my local SSA office visit (which took forever to get an appointment but was worth it): The earnings limit absolutely continues until the month you reach your FULL retirement age, not just when you turn 66. Since your FRA is March 2026, you'll have the higher earnings limit (around $60,000) from when you claim in April 2025 all the way through February 2026. Only starting in March 2026 will you have no earnings restrictions. The confusion seems to come from older rules when FRA was 65 or 66 for everyone. Now that FRA has moved to 67+ for most people, there's a gap between turning 66 and reaching FRA where the earnings test still applies. I'd definitely recommend getting your exact FRA date verified on your Social Security statement online - that's the most reliable source. And if you do need to call SSA, try calling right when they open at 7 AM local time for the shortest wait.

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who helps seniors navigate these rules regularly. The earnings test can be incredibly confusing because there are multiple thresholds and time periods involved. For 2025, here are the key numbers to remember: - Standard earnings limit (before FRA year): $23,400 - Higher earnings limit (during FRA year, before FRA month): $62,160 The critical point everyone's discussing is correct - the earnings test stops completely in the month you reach your Full Retirement Age, not at age 66. So if your FRA is March 2026, you'll have the higher earnings limit from when you claim benefits until February 2026. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you do exceed the earnings limit, Social Security doesn't just take away benefits permanently. They withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over the limit (or $1 for every $3 in the FRA year). But once you reach your actual FRA, they recalculate your benefits to give you credit for the months they withheld benefits, effectively increasing your monthly payment going forward. Still, it's usually better to plan your earnings to stay under the limit if possible. The SSA's online retirement estimator can help you model different scenarios.

I'm a newcomer here but have been following this discussion closely since I'm facing a similar situation. The confusion about earnings limits is so real! I've been researching for weeks and this thread has been more helpful than anything I found on the SSA website. Just to confirm what I'm understanding from all the responses: if you claim benefits before your Full Retirement Age, you're subject to earnings limits until the actual MONTH you reach FRA, regardless of when you turn 66. The limits don't magically disappear at 66 unless that happens to be your FRA. For the OP specifically - with an FRA of March 2026, you'll have the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) from April 2025 through February 2026. Only in March 2026 will the earnings test completely go away. One question I haven't seen addressed: does the month you claim benefits matter for when the earnings test starts? Like if you claim in April 2025, do they count your January-March 2025 earnings, or does the test only start from April forward? I'm trying to time my own claiming to minimize any potential issues. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world insight you can't get from official websites!

As someone who just went through this exact scenario last year, I can confirm the information that's been shared here is correct. The earnings test absolutely continues until the MONTH you reach your Full Retirement Age, not when you turn 66. I turned 66 in May 2023 but my FRA wasn't until February 2024 (66+9 months). I made the mistake of thinking the earnings limit went away at 66 and nearly went over the higher limit in late 2023. Thankfully I caught it in time and adjusted my work schedule for the last few months of the year. The key thing to remember is that Social Security has moved away from the old "retire at 66" mentality. For most of us, 66 is just another birthday now - your actual FRA is what matters for the earnings test. One tip that helped me: I set up a My Social Security account online and checked my exact FRA date there. It shows it down to the specific month and year, which eliminated any guesswork. The SSA website also has worksheets that let you calculate exactly how much you can earn each month to stay under the annual limit. Good luck with your planning! The peace of mind of knowing the exact rules is worth the research effort.

I'm new to this community and have been lurking while trying to understand these same rules for my own situation. This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I wanted to add one resource that might be helpful - the SSA Publication 05-10069 "How Work Affects Your Benefits" explains the earnings test rules pretty clearly. You can download it directly from ssa.gov and it has examples that are similar to your situation. Also, I noticed some people mentioned difficulty getting through to SSA by phone. In addition to the 7 AM calling tip, I've had success using their online "Contact Us" form for non-urgent questions. They usually respond within a week with detailed written answers you can refer back to. One last thing - make sure to keep detailed records of your monthly earnings throughout 2025. Even though your January-April total of $42,000 is well under the limit, SSA may ask for documentation when they review your case after you file your 2025 taxes. Having pay stubs organized by month can save you headaches later. Hope this helps, and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complicated rules!

I'm new to this community and wanted to share what I learned from my own recent experience with this exact situation. I turned 66 last fall but my FRA isn't until later this year, so I've been dealing with these same earnings limit questions. After reading through all the helpful responses here, I can confirm that the consensus is correct - the earnings test continues until the MONTH you reach your Full Retirement Age, not just when you turn 66. This was a hard lesson for me to learn since I initially thought 66 was the magic number. What really helped me was calling my local SSA field office directly instead of the national number. The wait was much shorter and the representative was able to walk me through my specific situation step by step. They also sent me a personalized letter explaining exactly when my earnings limits would end based on my FRA. For your situation with FRA in March 2026, you'll want to budget carefully for your earnings from when you claim in April 2025 all the way through February 2026. The good news is your $42,000 from January-April 2025 gives you plenty of room under the higher earnings limit. One thing I wish I had known earlier - if you're planning to continue working after claiming, consider whether delaying benefits until your actual FRA might give you a better long-term outcome. The permanent reduction for early claiming plus having to manage earnings limits for nearly a year might not be worth it depending on your overall financial situation. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this community is incredibly valuable for navigating these complex rules!

I'm new to this community and wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed discussion! As someone who will be facing a similar decision in the next couple of years, this thread has been more educational than anything I've found on official websites. The key takeaway I'm getting is that the earnings test rules are tied to your actual Full Retirement Age month, not just turning 66. For the OP with an FRA of March 2026, the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) will apply from when you claim in April 2025 all the way through February 2026. I especially appreciate the practical tips shared here - setting up a My Social Security account to verify exact FRA dates, calling local SSA offices instead of the national number, keeping detailed monthly earnings records, and the 7 AM calling strategy. These are the kinds of real-world insights you just can't get from reading policy documents. One question for the group: has anyone dealt with the situation where your employer offers flexibility in timing bonuses or other variable compensation? I'm wondering if there's any benefit to trying to time larger payments to fall after your FRA month to avoid any complications with the earnings test calculations. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complex Social Security rules!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some additional clarity on this topic since I work in retirement planning and see this confusion frequently. The earnings test has three distinct phases that people often mix up: 1. **Before the year you reach FRA**: Lower annual limit (~$23,400 for 2025) 2. **During the year you reach FRA, but before the FRA month**: Higher annual limit (~$62,160 for 2025) 3. **Starting the month you reach FRA**: NO earnings limit whatsoever For your specific situation with FRA in March 2026: - Your $42,000 from Jan-April 2025 falls under the higher limit, so you're fine - From May 2025 through February 2026, you'll still have the higher earnings limit - Starting March 2026, you can earn unlimited amounts The confusion often comes from older rules when FRA was 65-66 for everyone. Now that FRA is 67+ for most people, there's a significant gap between turning 66 and reaching actual FRA. One important note: Even if you exceed the earnings limit, it's not "lost money" - SSA recalculates your benefits upward at FRA to account for months they withheld benefits. But it's still generally better to stay under the limit for cash flow purposes. I'd strongly recommend verifying your exact FRA date on your SSA.gov account, as this determines when your earnings restrictions end completely.

I'm new to this community and wanted to add my experience since I just went through this exact situation last year. I turned 66 in June 2024 but my FRA wasn't until April 2025 (66 and 10 months). The confusion about when earnings limits end is so real! I initially thought I was in the clear after turning 66, but quickly learned that the earnings test continues until the MONTH you reach your actual Full Retirement Age. In my case, I had to be careful about my earnings all the way through March 2025. For your situation with an FRA of March 2026, you'll be subject to the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) from when you claim in April 2025 through February 2026. Only starting in March 2026 will you have completely unrestricted earnings. Your $42,000 from January-April 2025 is well under the limit, so you should be fine there. Just make sure to track your earnings carefully for the rest of 2025 and early 2026 to stay under the annual threshold. One tip that helped me: I created a simple spreadsheet to track my monthly earnings against the annual limit. It made it much easier to see where I stood throughout the year and plan accordingly. The SSA website also has a retirement earnings test calculator that can help you model different scenarios. Good luck with your planning - once you understand the actual rules, it's much more manageable than it initially seems!

I'm new to this community and have been following this discussion with great interest since I'm approaching a similar situation myself. This thread has been incredibly educational! Based on all the detailed responses here, it's clear that the earnings test continues until the MONTH you reach your Full Retirement Age, not when you turn 66. For your situation with an FRA of March 2026, you'll have the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) from April 2025 all the way through February 2026. Your $42,000 from January-April 2025 is well below the threshold, so you should be fine on that front. The key thing to remember is that you'll need to monitor your earnings for almost a full year after claiming benefits. I really appreciate everyone who shared their real-world experiences here - the practical tips about setting up My Social Security accounts, calling local SSA offices, and keeping detailed earnings records are invaluable. This kind of information just isn't available in the official publications. One suggestion that might help: consider creating a monthly earnings budget for May 2025 through February 2026 to make sure you stay comfortably under the annual limit. With the higher threshold, you have decent room to work with, but it's better to plan ahead than worry about it later. Thanks to this community for making such a confusing topic much clearer!

I'm new to this community and wanted to share a resource that might help clarify some of the confusion here. The SSA has a specific webpage called "Getting Benefits While Working" that breaks down the earnings test rules pretty clearly. What I found most helpful was their example scenarios that show exactly how the earnings limits work in practice. For your situation, the key points everyone has covered are correct: 1. Your FRA of March 2026 is what matters, not turning 66 2. You'll have the higher earnings limit (~$62,160 for 2025) from April 2025 through February 2026 3. Starting March 2026, no earnings restrictions at all Your $42,000 from Jan-April 2025 is well under the limit, so you're in good shape there. Just keep track of your total annual earnings through February 2026 to make sure you stay under the threshold. I'd also suggest signing up for email or text alerts from SSA - they send updates about annual limit changes and other important policy updates that can affect your planning. Having been through a similar situation with my parents, I can say the peace of mind from understanding these rules exactly is worth the research effort!

I'm new to this community and wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! As someone who will be turning 66 next year but won't reach my FRA until several months later, this thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate the SSA website. The consensus here is crystal clear: earnings limits continue until the MONTH you reach your Full Retirement Age, not just when you turn 66. For your situation with an FRA of March 2026, you'll be subject to the higher earnings limit (around $62,160 for 2025) from when you claim in April 2025 all the way through February 2026. Your $42,000 from January-April 2025 is well below the threshold, so you're definitely in good shape there. Just be sure to monitor your total annual earnings through February 2026 to stay under the limit. I love all the practical tips shared here - from setting up My Social Security accounts to verify exact FRA dates, to calling local SSA offices instead of the national number, to keeping detailed monthly earnings records. These real-world insights are exactly what you need but can never find in the official publications. One thing I haven't seen mentioned: if you're using tax software or working with an accountant, make sure they understand these Social Security earnings test rules when planning your 2025 taxes. The interaction between SS benefits, earned income, and tax planning can get complex, especially in that transition year. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is an incredible resource!