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Will Social Security reduce my benefits if I work past FRA in 2025?

I just got my Social Security statement and I see my Full Retirement Age is December 2025. I'm planning to keep working at my company even after hitting FRA because I actually enjoy my job (plus the extra income helps with my grandson's college fund). What I can't figure out is if they'll reduce my Social Security check because of my earnings after FRA. Some people at work told me there's an income limit but others said that only applies before you hit full retirement age. Is there a penalty for working while collecting Social Security after reaching FRA? And if there is some kind of limit, how much can I earn without losing benefits? I don't want any nasty surprises when I start collecting!

Joshua Hellan

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Once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), there is NO earnings limit. You can earn as much as you want without any reduction to your Social Security benefits. The earnings limit only applies to people who are collecting benefits before their FRA. Before FRA, in 2025, the earnings limit will likely be around $23,000 (based on current rates plus inflation), where SSA deducts $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. In the year you reach FRA, the limit is higher (currently around $56,000) and the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned above the limit. But again, once you're past your FRA in December 2025, you can earn any amount without penalty. In fact, continuing to work might even increase your benefit amount if these are high-earning years for you!

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Olivia Kay

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Thank you so much for the clear explanation! That's a huge relief. So if I understand correctly, since I'll reach FRA in December 2025, I'll face the higher earnings limit ($56,000-ish with the $1 reduction for every $3) for most of 2025, and then after December 2025, no limits at all? That's fantastic news!

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Jibriel Kohn

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I went through this exact situation last year. The previous reply is correct - there is absolutely NO earnings limit after you reach your Full Retirement Age. Work and earn as much as you want! One thing to consider though: if you're still working, you might want to delay taking Social Security until you actually stop working or at least until after your FRA. Why? Two reasons: 1. If you keep working before reaching FRA, you'll face those earnings limits mentioned above 2. For each year you delay claiming benefits (up to age 70), your monthly benefit increases by 8% But it's totally your choice. Some people prefer taking benefits at FRA even while working because they want to start receiving that money sooner.

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This is good advice! My dad kept working til 68 and delayed taking SS until 70. He gets a MUCH bigger check now because of it! Like almost $800 more per month than what he would've gotten at 66. Definitely worth considering if you don't need the money right away.

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I thought they ALWAYS take money away if ur earning too much?? My sister had like $200 taken from her check last month and shes 68!!! The whole system is rigged i swear

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Joshua Hellan

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There must be another reason for the reduction in your sister's case. At 68, she's past FRA and earnings should have absolutely no impact on her benefit amount. It could be Medicare premiums, tax withholding, or possibly an adjustment for previous overpayments. She should contact SSA directly to find out what's happening.

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James Johnson

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Glad your asking this! Im in the boat where I wanna retire early at 63 but continue working part time. From what i understand theres different rules if you retire early vs at full retirement age. If you claim before FRA theres a limit but once you hit FRA no more limits!

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Just be careful with the early retirement while working part-time plan. In 2025, if you're under FRA and earn more than about $23,000, they'll deduct $1 from benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. This can significantly reduce or even eliminate your monthly benefit depending on how much you earn part-time. Make sure to calculate this carefully before deciding to claim early while still working.

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Mia Green

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Working past FRA is actually a smart strategy in many cases. Once you hit your Full Retirement Age (FRA), you can earn unlimited income without any reduction to your Social Security benefits. This is different from the rules that apply before FRA. Here's the breakdown for 2025 (estimated based on current trends): 1. If collecting benefits BEFORE FRA: - Earnings limit around $23,000 - $1 reduction for every $2 earned above limit 2. In the year you REACH FRA (just the months before you hit FRA): - Higher earnings limit around $56,000 - $1 reduction for every $3 earned above limit 3. AFTER reaching FRA (your case after December 2025): - NO earnings limit - NO benefit reduction Additionally, continuing to work might actually INCREASE your benefit amount if these new earnings years replace lower-earning years in your top 35 years of earnings that SSA uses to calculate your benefit. One more benefit consideration: If you don't need the Social Security income immediately, you could consider delaying your claim beyond FRA. For each year you delay (up to age 70), your benefit increases by 8%.

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Have you tried calling SSA directly to confirm this information as it applies to your specific situation? I tried for WEEKS to get through to someone at my local office and kept getting disconnected or put on hold for hours. So frustrating! I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real SSA agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video on how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU I asked about this exact issue (working after FRA) and the agent confirmed there's absolutely no earnings limit once you reach your full retirement age. She also checked my record and found that continuing to work would likely increase my future benefit amount since I'd be replacing some lower-earning years in my calculation.

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Olivia Kay

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Thanks for the tip! I've tried calling SSA twice and got nowhere. I'll check out that service because I'd really like to speak with someone official about my specific situation before I make any final decisions.

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My husband works full time and gets his full SS check every month since hes 67. No penalties at all. his buddy at work gets the same and he makes over 100k a year still.

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BUT YOUR STILL PAYING SOCIAL SECURITY TAX ON YOUR EARNINGS!! even if your already collecting! double taxation if you ask me!!!

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Mia Green

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Yes, you're correct that you continue paying Social Security taxes on your earnings even after you start collecting benefits. However, those continued earnings might actually increase your benefit amount through recalculations. SSA periodically reviews your earnings record, and if your recent earnings replace lower-earning years in your top 35, your benefit can increase. So while you are paying the taxes, you may also be increasing your benefit amount.

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James Johnson

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So wait im confused does the earnings limit apply to regular social security retirement or just SSDI? I get mixed up with all these different programs

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Joshua Hellan

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The earnings limits we're discussing here apply to regular Social Security retirement benefits if you're claiming before reaching your Full Retirement Age. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) has completely different rules - it has a much lower earnings threshold called Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which is around $1,550/month in 2025. Earning above that amount on SSDI can cause you to lose benefits entirely. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) has yet another set of rules where nearly all income can reduce benefits. These are three separate programs with very different rules about working.

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