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

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!

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.

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

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!

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%.

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.

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.

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

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

This is such great information! I'm in a similar situation - turning 66 next year and wondering about working past FRA. From reading all these responses, it sounds like the key takeaway is: NO earnings limit once you reach your Full Retirement Age, which is fantastic news for those of us who want to keep working. One question I have though - does anyone know if there are any tax implications to be aware of? Like, will having both Social Security benefits AND work income push me into a higher tax bracket? I'm trying to plan ahead financially and want to make sure I understand the full picture before making my decision. Also, @Olivia Kay, it sounds like you're in a really good position to keep working and building up that college fund for your grandson while also potentially increasing your future SS benefits. That's awesome!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 64 and was considering claiming early at 62 but after reading all these responses, I'm thinking I should wait until my FRA at 66 and 10 months. The fact that there's NO earnings limit after FRA is huge for me since I love my job and want to keep working. One thing I'm curious about - does anyone know how quickly SSA recalculates your benefits if you keep working after claiming? Like if I start collecting at FRA but then have a really good earning year, will my monthly benefit automatically increase the following year? Or do I need to contact them to request a recalculation? Also want to echo what others have said about using that Claimyr service to actually talk to someone at SSA. The wait times when calling directly are absolutely brutal, so having a way to get through faster sounds like a lifesaver!