Social Security recipients face earnings limits
The Social Security earnings test applies to recipients who have not yet reached full retirement age, which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
The limits of the earnings test change every year, with $1 in Social Security withheld per $2 of earnings above $24,480 if full retirement age is not reached by Dec. 31.
In 2026, recipients who will reach full retirement age by the end of the year will have $1 in Social Security withheld per $3 of earnings above $65,160.
Withheld benefits are not lost forever, as the Social Security Administration will recalculate monthly benefits and return the withheld amount once full retirement age is reached.