Social Security earnings limit for 2025 - changes for those under FRA?
Has SSA announced what the earnings limit will be for 2025 for those of us collecting early but still under Full Retirement Age? I'm turning 63 next March and started taking my retirement benefits this year, but I might pick up part-time work again. The 2024 limit was $22,320 before they start deducting $1 for every $2 earned, but I can't find anything solid about next year's amount. Anyone have the official 2025 figures? I'm trying to plan my work schedule for next year and don't want to accidentally trigger benefit reductions!
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Evelyn Martinez
The official 2025 earnings limit hasn't been announced yet. SSA typically releases the COLA and related adjustments including the earnings limit in mid-October. So we should know in a few weeks. Based on inflation trends, most experts are predicting a COLA of around 2.5-3.0% for 2025, which would likely increase the earnings limit proportionally.
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Alexander Evans
•Thanks! Any idea if they'll post it on the main SSA website or should I be looking somewhere specific? I definitely don't want to miscalculate and get hit with an overpayment notice later.
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Benjamin Carter
Just to clarify some important details about the earnings test: 1) For people under FRA all year, the 2024 limit is $22,320 as you mentioned 2) For people reaching FRA during 2024, there's a higher limit of $59,520, and they only count earnings before the month you reach FRA 3) Once you reach FRA, there is NO earnings limit Also remember that if benefits are withheld due to earnings, you'll receive those benefits back gradually after reaching FRA through a recalculation that increases your monthly amount.
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Maya Lewis
•wait so you get the money back later? i had no idea! my brother lost benefits last year cause he went over and nobody told him he'd get that back eventually
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Isaac Wright
I went through this EXACT thing last year!!! I was working part-time and didn't realize I was approaching the limit until my accountant warned me. Had to basically stop working in November to avoid going over. The whole system is DESIGNED to confuse people!!!! Why can't they just have ONE simple rule instead of different limits depending on your age and year???
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Evelyn Martinez
•The different rules actually make sense when you understand the purpose. The earnings test exists because Social Security was designed as income replacement for retirement. As you get closer to full retirement age, they allow you to earn more, and once you reach FRA, you can earn unlimited amounts because you've officially reached the age the system considers "full retirement."
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Lucy Taylor
If you need to contact SSA to get the most current information, save yourself hours of frustration by using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a representative quickly. I was trying for days to get through about my earnings limit question last year and kept getting disconnected. Used this service and got through in 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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Maya Lewis
•does it actually work? ive been trying to get through to ssa for like 3 weeks about my moms benefits
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Lucy Taylor
•Yes, it worked for me. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days. They got me through to an agent who could actually answer my earnings limit questions with the updated numbers.
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Connor Murphy
just wanted to say good luck my sister went through this and ended up owing SS money because she made too much at her summer job nobody told her about the limit
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Alexander Evans
•That's exactly what I'm worried about! Did she have to pay it all back at once?
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Connor Murphy
•they took like $200 out of her benefit each month until it was paid back really messed up her budget for almost a year
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Benjamin Carter
To answer your earlier question about where to find the announcement: The 2025 COLA and earnings test limits will be posted on SSA.gov in their "News & Events" section, usually in mid-October. You can also sign up for email updates from SSA to be notified when these changes are announced.
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Alexander Evans
•Perfect, thank you! I'll keep an eye out mid-October and maybe sign up for those email updates too.
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KhalilStar
im turning 63 too but waiting till my FRA to collect. to much hassle with all these rules and limits. my neighbor got a huge overpayment notice last yr because he didnt know about the limit either. why bother with the headache?
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Evelyn Martinez
•Waiting until FRA is definitely simpler if you don't need the income earlier. But for those who need to start benefits earlier, understanding the earnings test is important. Each person's situation is different.
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Maya Lewis
i thought the earnings limit was $18,240? thats what my friend told me when i was thinking about applying early
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Benjamin Carter
•The $18,240 figure was from 2023. For 2024, it's $22,320 for those under FRA all year. This is why it's important to check the current year's limits as they change annually with cost-of-living adjustments.
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Alexander Evans
Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I'll wait for the mid-October announcement before finalizing my work plans for next year. And I'll definitely check out those email updates. It's frustrating that they make this so complicated, but at least I understand it better now.
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