Working with Social Security at FRA - how much can I earn in 10 months before reaching 66 and 10 months?
I just started collecting my Social Security retirement benefits after turning 66. I know that I've reached my "full retirement age" according to the SSA chart for my birth year, but I'm a bit confused about the earnings limit. My actual FRA is 66 and 10 months (born in 2025), so I'm still 10 months away from that exact age. I've been offered a part-time consulting job that could pay pretty well, but I'm worried about hitting some earnings limit and having benefits withheld. Does that special earnings test still apply to me during these 10 months before I hit 66 and 10 months exactly? And if so, how much can I earn before they start reducing my monthly SS check? I thought once you hit 66 you were free and clear, but now I'm second-guessing myself.
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Peyton Clarke
You're in what the SSA calls the "year of attaining FRA" period. For 2025, you can earn up to $59,520 in the months BEFORE the month you reach your FRA (66+10mo) without any benefit reduction. That's a special higher limit that only applies during this transition period. After you reach your exact FRA month, there's no earnings limit at all. The earnings limit only counts money earned in those 10 months, not your annual income. If you do exceed that $59,520 threshold before your FRA month, SSA withholds $1 for every $3 over the limit.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Thank you! That's so much higher than I expected. So if the contract work pays me $5,000 per month, I'll be well under that $59,520 cap for the 10 months ($50,000 total). I really appreciate the clarification.
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Vince Eh
congrats on retiring!! my mom just went thru this last yr. theres NO limit once ur FRA but I think theres a limit before that. call the SS office to make sure but its probly fine
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Sophia Gabriel
•This is NOT correct. The OP is in the calendar year they will reach their FRA but hasn't hit the exact month yet. There IS still an earnings test that applies, but it's a much higher limit ($59,520 for 2025) and only applies to earnings in those months before reaching FRA. Please don't give incorrect information about something this important.
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Tobias Lancaster
I went through EXACTLY this last year! You're actually in great shape with the earnings test. They increased that special "year of FRA" limit significantly from previous years. But be careful - they only count money EARNED in those months, not when you receive it. So if you do consulting work in month 9 but get paid in month 11 (after your FRA), it still counts against your pre-FRA limit. Also make sure you understand which month exactly is your FRA month. If you were born on the 15th of the month, your FRA isn't reached until the entire month of your 66+10 birthday month is over.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•That's a great point about when the money is earned vs. when it's paid! I'll make sure to track that carefully. I was born on the 3rd, so I'm assuming my FRA month is the month of my birthday?
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Peyton Clarke
•Yes, if you were born on the 3rd, you reach FRA on the 2nd of your birth month when you turn 66+10mo. But for earnings test purposes, they count the entire month of your FRA as being exempt from the earnings test, even though you weren't at FRA for the entire month.
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Ezra Beard
my sister had her benefits CUT by $4,000 because she didnt know about this rule!!!! the ssa doesn't tell u these things on purpose i swear. they WANT to reduce ur payments.
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Statiia Aarssizan
•I understand your frustration, but it's important to note that any benefits withheld due to excess earnings aren't permanently lost! Once you reach your full FRA, the SSA recalculates your benefit amount to credit you back over time for those withholdings. The system is complicated, but it's not designed to permanently reduce what you're owed.
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Reginald Blackwell
Has anyone else had trouble actually REACHING someone at Social Security to explain this stuff? I was in the same situation last year and spent HOURS on hold just trying to verify my earnings limit. Eventually gave up and just kept my income low to be safe. Wish I'd known I could earn more.
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Sophia Gabriel
•I had the same problem until I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an SSA agent without the wait. You should check out their website at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to sort out my earnings limit questions, and the agent I spoke with was actually really helpful once I finally got through.
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Statiia Aarssizan
One more important detail: the earnings test only applies to EARNED income (wages, self-employment). It doesn't count pensions, investments, rental income, etc. This is a common misconception. Also, if you're going to earn enough to trigger a withholding, you can contact SSA in advance and have them start the withholding early rather than having them suddenly realize it later and want all the money back at once. Much easier on your monthly budgeting.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•That's really helpful! I do have rental income as well, so I'm glad to hear that doesn't count toward the limit. Is there a specific form I need to file if I think I'll exceed the limit? Or just call them?
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Statiia Aarssizan
•You can report expected earnings by calling SSA, using your my Social Security account online, or by visiting a local office. There's also Form SSA-131 (Employer Report of Special Wage Payments) that your employer can submit if you receive special wage payments that shouldn't count toward the earnings test.
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Vince Eh
i always get confused about FRA. isn't it different for everyone?? mine is 67 according to my SS statement i got
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Peyton Clarke
•Yes, Full Retirement Age varies based on your birth year: - Born 1943-1954: FRA is 66 - Born 1955: FRA is 66 and 2 months - Born 1956: FRA is 66 and 4 months - Born 1957: FRA is 66 and 6 months - Born 1958: FRA is 66 and 8 months - Born 1959: FRA is 66 and 10 months - Born 1960 or later: FRA is 67 So if your statement says 67, you were born in 1960 or later.
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Mia Alvarez
Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - make sure you keep good records of your monthly earnings during those 10 months before your FRA! SSA sometimes asks for documentation if your reported earnings seem inconsistent with what employers report. I learned this the hard way when I had irregular consulting income. Also, if you're doing 1099 contract work, remember that self-employment income is counted when it's earned, not when you get paid. So if you complete a project in month 8 but don't invoice until month 11 (after FRA), it still counts against your pre-FRA limit. Keep track of when work is actually performed vs. when payment is received. The $59,520 limit for 2025 is really generous compared to previous years, so you should be in good shape with that consulting work!
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•This is excellent advice about record-keeping! I'm just starting to navigate this whole system myself and hadn't thought about the documentation aspect. Quick question - when you say "self-employment income is counted when earned," does that apply even if I haven't received payment yet? Like if I complete a consulting project in month 9 but the client doesn't pay me until month 12 (after my FRA), that would still count toward the pre-FRA earnings limit for month 9?
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