{"id":353882,"date":"2023-09-29T16:12:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T21:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/socialsecurity\/basics\/income-limits-for-social-security-benefits.html"},"modified":"2023-09-29T16:12:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T21:12:00","slug":"income-limits-for-social-security-benefits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/socialsecurity\/basics\/income-limits-for-social-security-benefits.html","title":{"rendered":"Income Limits for Social Security Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Earned Income Limits for Social Security Benefits<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jennifer Steinberg, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) can send you monthly benefits in retirement as early as age 62. But until you reach your full retirement age, it may reduce your benefits if you continue earning income through work. The SSA will only lower benefits based on the money you earn above its annual income limit.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Social Security retirement benefits provide Americans with supplemental income at a certain age. This income allows many people to reduce their hours or stop working altogether. With more freedom comes the ability to focus on other pursuits, including time with family members, hobbies, or travel.<\/p>\n

Some workers take early retirement by collecting Social Security benefits before reaching full retirement age. Early retirement reduces benefits by a percentage per month before full retirement age. Full retirement age depends on the year of birth. Full retirement age is 67 for people reaching age 62 this year.<\/p>\n

Social Security retirement benefits also include an entitlement to\u00a0Medicare<\/a> at age 65 or older. Other entitlements may include spousal benefits and benefits to other qualifying beneficiaries such as children and ex-spouses. Also, the adult child of a retiree may be eligible for\u00a0Social Security disability<\/a>\u00a0benefits if the disability began before age 22.<\/p>\n

Many retirees decide to return to the workforce, even to work full-time, for one reason or another. This article discusses how returning to work can affect a retiree’s monthly benefits. You may also want to speak with a Social Security and retirement attorney<\/a> about how to manage your savings and benefits to ensure a comfortable future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Full Retirement Age<\/h2>\n

The amount you may earn without reducing benefits depends on full retirement age. You may collect full benefits<\/a>, regardless of how much you work, beginning the month you reach full retirement age.<\/p>\n

Before reaching full retirement age, the following limitations apply:<\/p>\n