Social Security earnings limits after 70 - confused about FRA vs age 70 rules
I'm really confused about Social Security earnings limits and could use some clarification. I'm currently 69 (turning 70 in August 2025) and planning to start collecting my Social Security benefits then. I've been working full-time and delaying benefits to maximize my monthly amount. Here's where I'm confused - I was absolutely certain that once you reach your Full Retirement Age (mine was 66 and 4 months), you could earn unlimited income without affecting your Social Security benefits. But yesterday, my coworker mentioned something about a 2025 earnings limit of $61,160 and the Annual Retirement Earnings Test. Now I'm worried! Does this earnings test still apply to me even though I'm past my FRA? I'm earning about $85,000 annually and planned to continue working part-time after I start collecting. Will my earnings reduce my benefit amount? I've been planning my retirement around this for years and now I'm second-guessing everything!
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Sophia Nguyen
Your coworker is confusing you unnecessarily. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), there is NO earnings limit. You can earn as much as you want without affecting your Social Security benefits. The $61,160 limit applies ONLY to people who are collecting Social Security before they reach their FRA. Since you're already past your FRA (66 and 4 months) and waiting until 70 to collect, you can earn any amount without penalty. In fact, you're doing exactly what financial planners often recommend - delaying benefits until 70 to maximize your monthly payment while continuing to work if you want to.
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Liam Mendez
•Thank you so much for clearing that up! I was really starting to panic. So just to confirm - when I start collecting at 70, I can continue working part-time and earning whatever amount without any reduction to my Social Security benefits?
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Jacob Smithson
ur coworker is wrong! i started collecting ss when i hit my FRA (66) and kept working full time making way more than that limit. no problems at all with my benefits. dont worry about it
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Liam Mendez
•That's a relief to hear from someone with personal experience. Thank you!
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Isabella Brown
Yes, your coworker is mixing up two different scenarios. Let me clarify how the earnings test works: 1. BEFORE Full Retirement Age: If you claim benefits before reaching your FRA, the 2025 earnings limit is $22,320. For every $2 you earn above that limit, $1 is withheld from benefits. 2. YEAR OF reaching Full Retirement Age: In the months of 2025 BEFORE you reach your FRA, the higher limit of $61,160 applies. For every $3 you earn above that limit, $1 is withheld. 3. AFTER reaching Full Retirement Age: NO LIMITS APPLY. You can earn any amount without reduction in benefits. Since you've already passed your FRA and are waiting until 70, you're in category #3. You can earn $85,000, $185,000, or more - it doesn't matter. Your benefits will not be reduced.
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Maya Patel
•Wow this is super helpful! I'm 63 and working part time while collecting SS. Sounds like I'm in category #1 so I need to watch my earnings. I think I'm going over that $22,320 limit this year... ugh, wish I had known this earlier!
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Isabella Brown
•Yes, you'd be in category #1. However, keep in mind that any benefits withheld due to excess earnings aren't lost forever. Once you reach your FRA, your monthly benefit will be recalculated to give you credit for the months when benefits were withheld.
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Aiden Rodríguez
MY SISTER GOT HER BENEFITS CUT BECAUSE OF THIS!!!! She was 64 and working and they took away almost half her Social Security!!! The system is DESIGNED to confuse people! They never make these rules clear until AFTER they take your money!!!
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Sophia Nguyen
•Your sister's situation is different from the original poster's. Your sister was under her Full Retirement Age when she was working, which is why the earnings limit applied to her. For anyone who has reached their Full Retirement Age, there is no earnings limit whatsoever. The rules are actually quite clear about this distinction.
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Aiden Rodríguez
•Maybe NOW they're clear but when my sister called SS they gave her 3 DIFFERENT ANSWERS about the limits! And nobody told her they would eventually adjust her benefit later. The whole system needs to be fixed!!!
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Emma Garcia
The real question nobody is asking - why are you waiting until 70? You've already missed out on years of benefits you could have been collecting since your FRA. The break-even point where delaying pays off is usually in your early 80s. If you don't live that long, you've left money on the table. I started collecting right at my FRA and invested a portion of each payment. Just something to think about...
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Isabella Brown
•While that's a valid strategy for some, delaying until 70 provides an 8% per year increase in benefits from FRA to 70. This provides maximum lifetime income if you live longer than average and provides the largest survivor benefit for a spouse. It's insurance against longevity. Different strategies work for different situations, which is why personalized planning is important.
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Liam Mendez
•I've thought about this a lot actually. My parents both lived into their mid-90s, and my spouse will depend on my benefit as a survivor benefit if I go first. The guaranteed 8% annual increase seemed like the best insurance policy for both longevity and protecting my spouse.
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Ava Kim
I had SUCH trouble reaching anyone at Social Security to get answers about earnings limits! Spent literally 3 days trying to get through on their 800 number. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got a callback from SSA in under an hour. They have a video demo showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed everything people are saying here - after FRA there's no limit to what you can earn. My situation was different since I'm not at FRA yet, but at least I finally got the correct information for my situation.
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Liam Mendez
•Thanks for the tip! I've been worried about having to call them when I actually apply for benefits. Their phone lines are notoriously difficult to get through on. I'll keep this in mind for August.
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Maya Patel
•i tried claimyr last month when i had questions about my medicare premium going up. worked perfect, got a callback in like 40 mins. way better than sitting on hold all day!
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Sophia Nguyen
One more thing worth mentioning - even though there's no earnings limit after FRA, remember that up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be subject to income tax depending on your combined income. This isn't the same as the earnings test (which won't apply to you), but it's something to be aware of for tax planning purposes if you'll be earning $85,000 plus Social Security.
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Liam Mendez
•That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I'll need to talk to my tax advisor about how to manage this. Do you know if there are strategies to minimize how much of my SS benefits will be taxed when I have other income?
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Sophia Nguyen
•Yes, there are several strategies. Contributing to tax-advantaged accounts like traditional 401(k)s to lower your taxable income, timing Roth conversions carefully, and planning investment income can all help. A good tax advisor can create a personalized strategy based on your complete financial picture.
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Jacob Smithson
just wondering why r u waiting till 70? i started at 67 and im happy i did. getting that money now to enjoy while im still active enough to travel
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Isabella Brown
•This is actually a common dilemma people face. Mathematically, if you live past your early 80s, waiting until 70 provides more lifetime income. But as you point out, getting benefits earlier allows you to enjoy the money during potentially more active years. It's a personal decision based on health, family longevity, financial needs, and retirement plans.
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