How working affects Social Security Benefits

Posted on June 21, 2026 by Steve Shorr — 1 Comment ↓

What happens to your Social Security Retirement Check, if you are still #working?

Special Earnings Limit Rule

There’s a limit on how much you can earn and still receive your full Social Security retirement benefits while working. Some people who file for benefits mid-year have already earned more than their yearly earnings limit amount. Social Security has a special rule for this situation. The special rule lets us pay a full Social Security check for any whole month they consider you retired, regardless of your yearly earnings. If you will:

Be under full retirement age for all of 2022, you are considered retired in any month that your earnings are $1,630 or less and you did not perform substantial services in self-employment.
Reach full retirement age in 2022, you are considered retired in any month that your earnings are $4,330 or less and you did not perform substantial services in self-employment. ^SSA.Gov *

Links & Resources

Social Security Benefits

Taxation #Pub915

Social Security & Covered CA MAGI Income
How work affects your Social Security Benefits Publication # 10069
Tax Guide for Seniors # 554

How & if Social Security Benefits are Taxed?

Annual Benefit Statements

Each January you will receive a Social Security Benefit Statement 1099 showing the amount of benefits you received in the previous year.

You can use this Benefit Statement when you complete your federal income tax return to find out if your benefits are subject to tax. See publication # 915 for details. It's on your right or if on smartphone, scroll down.