Social Security Earnings Limit
Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS
The 2026 Social Security earnings limit is $24,480 if you're under full retirement age all year: SSA withholds $1 of benefits for every $2 you earn above it. In the year you reach full retirement age the limit is $65,160, with $1 withheld for every $3 over, counting only earnings before that month. From full retirement age on, there's no limit (SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet).
Below: what counts as earnings, worked examples, the special monthly rule for your first year, and how withheld benefits come back. The 2027 limits are announced on October 14, 2026.
2026 Social Security earnings limit
| Your situation in 2026 | Yearly limit | Monthly (first year) | Withholding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under full retirement age all year | $24,480 | $2,040 | $1 for every $2 over |
| Reaching full retirement age in 2026 | $65,160 | $5,430 | $1 for every $3 over, earnings before that month only |
| At or past full retirement age | No limit | — | None |
What counts as earnings (and what doesn't)
Counts
Wages from a job (gross, counted when earned) and net earnings from self-employment, including bonuses, commissions and vacation pay.
Doesn't count
Pensions, annuities, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, investment income, interest, rental income, capital gains, other government benefits.
Examples
Under full retirement age: Tom is 63, gets $1,500 a month and earns $34,480 in 2026. That's $10,000 over the limit, so $5,000 is withheld. SSA withholds whole monthly checks early in the year: Tom gets no payment for the first four months ($6,000 withheld), then $1,500 a month — the extra $1,000 withheld is refunded the next year.
Year of full retirement age: Ann reaches full retirement age in October 2026 and earns $75,160 from January to September. She's $10,000 over the $65,160 limit, so $3,333 is withheld. Earnings from October on don't count.
The monthly rule in your first year
In the year you retire, SSA can pay you for any month you earn $2,040 or less (2026) and don't do substantial self-employment work — even if your total for the year is above the limit. This protects people who retire mid-year after a high-earning few months.
Withheld benefits aren't lost
At full retirement age, SSA recalculates your benefit to give you credit for every month benefits were withheld. If you claimed at 62 and 12 months of benefits were withheld, your benefit is raised as if you had claimed a year later.
How to report your earnings
- When you apply, give SSA an estimate of your earnings for the year.
- If your earnings change, update the estimate (by phone, at an office or online) — this prevents an overpayment you'd have to repay.
- SSA checks your W-2s and tax returns afterwards and adjusts. Self-employed? Your tax return counts as your report.
Thinking about claiming early while still working? Read Social Security at 62 and check your full retirement age first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Social Security earnings limit for 2026?
$24,480 a year ($1 withheld for every $2 over) if you're under full retirement age all year, and $65,160 ($1 for every $3 over) in the year you reach full retirement age. There's no limit from full retirement age on.
Do pensions count toward the Social Security earnings limit?
No. Only wages and net self-employment earnings count. Pensions, IRA withdrawals, investment and rental income don't.
Do I get withheld Social Security benefits back?
Yes, indirectly. At full retirement age SSA raises your monthly benefit to account for the months benefits were withheld.
What is the 2027 Social Security earnings limit?
SSA announces it on October 14, 2026, together with the 2027 COLA. It rises each year with average wages.
Is there an earnings limit after full retirement age?
No. From the month you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without losing benefits.