Working While Collecting Social Security: What You Need to Know for 2026


If you receive Social Security benefits but also continue to work, your earnings could affect how much you receive — depending on when you claim benefits and how much you earn. Starting in 2026, there are updated thresholds for when work income may reduce your benefits. 



How 2026’s Earnings Limits Work

  • If you are younger than full retirement age (FRA) for all of 2026, you can earn up to US $24,480 this year without affecting your Social Security payments. If you exceed that, SSA will reduce benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn over that limit. (ssa.gov)

  • If you reach your FRA in 2026, then the earnings limit is higher: US $65,160. If you make more than that before the month you reach FRA, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 over the threshold. (ssa.gov)

  • Once you are at full retirement age (for the entire year), your work income no longer reduces your benefit, no matter how much you earn. (ssa.gov)

For example: If someone under FRA earns US $30,000 in 2026, that’s US $5,520 over the allowed US $24,480 — so benefits would be reduced by US $2,760 for the year (that is, $1 withheld for every $2 over the limit). (Nasdaq)




A Key Silver Lining

The withheld benefits are not lost permanently. Once the beneficiary reaches full retirement age, the monthly benefit is recalculated and usually adjusted upward to account for months in which benefits were withheld due to excess earnings. (ssa.gov)

So, while working and receiving Social Security can lead to temporary reductions, over the long run — especially if your earnings were among your highest — you might end up with the same or even a larger benefit than if you had not worked.

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