Working after Social Security retirement at 63 - Will I lose benefits if I stay below earnings limit?

Yes, you can definitely continue working while collecting Social Security retirement benefits! Since you're under Full Retirement Age (FRA), the earnings limit for 2025 is $22,320 annually. If you stay below that (which your $16,000 does), you won't lose any benefits. Just know that only wages count toward this limit - not pensions, investments, etc. I went through this exact situation last year and was fine keeping my part-time teaching job while collecting SS.

my sister tried to do this and ss took back a bunch of her money later, they said she went over by like $500 and they wanted thousands back!! make sure u track EVERYTHING

Im in almost the exact situation! Started SS at 62 last year and kept my weekend job at the hardware store. As long as you stay under the yearly limit youre golden. I actually track my earnings monthly to make sure I don't accidentally go over. The one thing nobody tells you - your SS benefits will still be partially taxable if your combined income (including wages) goes over certain thresholds. Worth checking with a tax person.

Here's a clear breakdown of how this works: 1. Since you're starting benefits before your Full Retirement Age (FRA), the earnings limit does apply to you 2. For 2025, the limit is $22,320 for people under FRA for the full year 3. Your expected earnings of $16,000 are safely below this limit 4. Only wages and self-employment count toward this limit - not pensions, investments, annuities, etc. 5. In the year you reach FRA, the limit is much higher ($59,520 for 2024, likely slightly higher for 2025) 6. After reaching FRA, there is no earnings limit at all Most importantly, you should report your expected earnings when you apply for benefits and update SSA if your earnings change significantly during the year.

I noticed you're applying online - that's definitely the easiest way! But if you run into any issues or have questions that need clarification quickly, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). When I was setting up my retirement last year, I had a question about how my pension would affect things and couldn't get through on the regular SSA line after multiple attempts. Claimyr got me connected with an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Definitely worth it for peace of mind if you need to speak with someone directly.

just wanted to say congrats on retirement!! im turning 63 too but have to keep working full time for a while. jealous!

Does anyone know if they check your earnings monthly or just at tax time? I want to work extra hours this summer but worried about going over.

i thought the limit was way lower like 15k? did it change?

My husband started collecting at 62 and kept working part time at Walmart. He says SS takes a dollar for every 2 dollars u earn over the limit. But then when he hit full retirement age they recalculated and gave him a small increase because of the extra work credits. So working can actually help long term even if there's a small reduction now.

Carlos, you're in a great position with your $16,000 annual income being well below the 2025 earnings limit! One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - when you submit your SS application, there's a section where you can report your expected earnings. Be sure to fill that out accurately. Also, keep good records of your paystubs throughout the year. I started benefits at 63 two years ago and found it helpful to create a simple spreadsheet tracking my monthly earnings just to stay on top of things. The peace of mind is worth it! And don't worry about those "horror stories" - as long as you stay under the limit and report accurately, you'll be fine. The problems usually happen when people don't report changes or accidentally go over the limit.

Carlos, you're getting great advice here! I just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation about 18 months ago. I started SS at 62 and continued working part-time at a local library. The key thing that helped me was setting up a "buffer zone" - I aimed to earn about $2,000 LESS than the annual limit just to be safe. This gave me peace of mind and room for any unexpected overtime or bonuses. Also, don't stress too much about the application process - it's pretty straightforward online. Just make sure you have your tax returns from the last couple years handy when you fill it out. One last tip: if your employer offers direct deposit, set that up right away. It makes everything smoother once your benefits start. You're making a smart choice by researching this thoroughly beforehand!

Carlos, congratulations on taking the step toward retirement! Your situation sounds very manageable. At $16,000 annual income, you're comfortably under the 2025 earnings limit of $22,320. I went through something similar when I started collecting at 62 - the key is just staying organized and honest with your reporting. One thing that really helped me was downloading the SSA's annual statements to track everything. Also, don't let the scary stories intimidate you - most of those happen when people don't understand the rules or fail to report changes. Since you're doing your research upfront, you're already ahead of the game. The online application is straightforward, and you can always call if you get stuck (though as others mentioned, getting through can take patience). You're making a smart financial decision by continuing to work part-time while collecting - it keeps you active and provides extra income security. Best of luck with your application!