Social Security Lifts Earnings Caps at Full Retirement Age, Keeping Benefits Intact After 67
Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · May 30
Social Security Lifts Earnings Caps at Full Retirement Age, Keeping Benefits Intact After 67
2 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · May 30
Summary
Workers who reach full retirement age can earn unlimited wages without any reduction in Social Security benefits, a key rule change for people claiming while still employed.
Before that age, 2026 earnings limits still apply: beneficiaries lose $1 for every $2 earned above $24,480, or $1 for every $3 above $65,160 if they reach FRA during the year.
Those withheld benefits are not gone permanently—Social Security recalculates payments at full retirement age based on benefits previously held back.
For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67, making the timing of claiming benefits and continuing to work a central retirement-planning decision.