We use cookies to improve your experience on our websites. By continuing you are giving consent to cookies being used. Read our online privacy policy
To ensure an optimal and secure experience, please upgrade to the latest version of your browser.
To avoid benefit reductions, it’s generally advisable to not collect retirement benefits until your full retirement age if you continue to work. You should consult your financial advisor to determine the best time for you to start collecting.
If you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, your earnings may reduce your benefit amount.
If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years used to compute your retirement benefit, then your benefit amount will be automatically recalculated.
If some of your retirement benefits are withheld, because of your earnings, your monthly benefit will increase starting at your full retirement age.
For 2018, the limit on earned income is $17,040 annually or $1,420 per month.12 The limit on earned income varies each year based on the cost of living.
EXAMPLE:
Henry is considering claiming early retirement benefits this year, at age 64. Social Security calculates that if he does so, he’ll receive $866 a month (which is about 13% less than if he waited until his full retirement age of 66).
But Henry also intends to continue working part-time, with an income that will be about $5,000 over the yearly limit on earned income. If he does claim the early benefits and makes that part-time income each month, Henry would lose one dollar out of two from the $5,000 he earns over the limit, which means $2,500 for the year.
So, by claiming early retirement and continuing to earn over the limit, Henry incurs a double penalty: His retirement benefits are permanently reduced by 13%, and he loses an additional amount every month (until he reaches full retirement age) to the extent he earns over the income limit.13 After reaching full retirement age, there is no Social Security limit on your earnings.
Call your local BNY Mellon Wholesaler for a copy of our client-use Social Security Resource Guide
Call for a copy of our Social Security Resource Guide
This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular investment, strategy, investment manager or account arrangement. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. Please consult your legal, tax or investment advisor in order to determine whether an investment product or service is appropriate for your particular situation. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. BNY Mellon Corporation and BNY Mellon Securities Corporation are companies of BNY Mellon.
12 “How Work Affects Your Benefits, 2016,” Social SecurityAdministration. https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2017.pdf
13 “Will I Get Penalized for Working While Collecting Social Security Retirement?” Nolo.
MARK-25197-2018-04-06