Many retirees collecting Social Security benefits go back to work part time. If they haven’t reached full retirement age and they earn over a certain amount, they’ll have a portion of their monthly benefits withheld. This is called the Social Security earnings test.
The earnings limit for workers who are younger than full retirement age will increase to $23,400 in 2025. Social Security will deduct $1 from benefits for each $2 earned over $23,400. (In 2024, the amount these recipients can earn is $22,320.)
The earnings limit for people reaching their full retirement age in 2025 will increase to $62,160. Social Security will deduct $1 from benefits for each $3 earned over $62,160 until the month the worker turns full retirement age. (In 2024, the limit for these workers is $59,520.)
There’s no limit on earnings for workers who are full retirement age or older for the entire year.
Your full retirement age depends on when you were born. For example, for those born in 1960 and later, it’s 67.