Can you work while collecting Social Security? Learn about the earnings test, 2026 and 2027 income limits, how benefits are reduced, and why withheld benefits are returned at full retirement age. Summary You can continue working while collecting Social Security, but your age and earnings might affect your benefits. Reaching full retirement age removes income limits, allowing you to earn any amount without reducing your Social Security benefits. You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits. How Much Can You Earn While on Social Security? There is no cap on how much you can earn while on Social Security — if you've reached full retirement age. You can receive Social Security while working, but there is a limit to how much you can earn while receiving full benefits. The earnings limit only applies to people who claim benefits before reaching full retirement age, which is age 66 or 67. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn unlimited income without any reduction to your Social Security benefits. Only wages and self-employment income count toward the earnings limit — investment income, pensions, and annuities do not. You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits. How Much Can I Earn While Receiving Social Security? At full retirement age, there are no earning limits for Social Security beneficiaries; your benefits remain intact regardless of how much you earn. Learn how much income you can make while on Social Security, from earnings limits for retirement, disability, and SSI to taxes and Medicare when you work. Starting in June, you can earn unlimited income with no reduction to your benefit. This means you can front-load your work in the second half of the year if you want to maximize earnings without triggering a benefit reduction.