How many hours a week can I work if I'm on Social Security?

For Social Security Retirement, there's no hour limit once you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA); however, if you're under FRA, your benefits get reduced if your earnings exceed annual limits (around $23,400 in 2024, with higher limits for the year you reach FRA). For Disability Insurance (SSDI), hours matter more, especially if self-employed (under 45 hours/month is generally okay, but it depends on the work's nature and your trial work period), as the Social Security Administration (SSA) assesses if you're doing "Substantial Gainful Activity" (SGA).


Can you work 40 hours and collect Social Security?

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits.

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.


How much money can I earn without affecting my Social Security?

You can earn unlimited money without affecting Social Security once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), but if you're collecting early, there are limits: in 2026, earning over $24,480 (under FRA) means $1 is withheld for every $2 earned above that, and if you reach FRA in 2026, a higher limit of $65,160 applies only to earnings before your FRA month, with $1 withheld for every $3 earned over that amount. 

How many hours can I work while being on Social Security?

There's no specific hour limit to work while on Social Security, but your earnings affect benefits differently depending on your age: no limit at or above Full Retirement Age (FRA), but limits apply before FRA, reducing benefits if you earn too much (e.g., around $22,320 in 2024 if under FRA), though a special rule allows full checks for months under FRA if earnings are low that month. Earnings for Social Security count wages/self-employment profit, not passive income like pensions or investments. 


Social Security and Work: How Much Can You Make in 2025?



How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

Will a part-time job affect my social security benefits?

If you work, and are at full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you're younger than full retirement age, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full Social Security benefits.


How much can you make on Social Security and still get extra help?

If your monthly income is up to $1,976 in 2026 ($2,664 for couples) and your assets. are below specified limits, you may be eligible for Extra Help (see the Extra Help income and asset limit chart for details). These limits include a $20 income disregard that the Social Security Administration (SSA)

Can you collect Social Security at 70 and still work full time?

Yes, you can absolutely collect Social Security at age 70 and still work full-time; in fact, there are no earnings limits or reductions for working past your Full Retirement Age (FRA), and your continued work can actually increase your monthly benefit amount through a recalculation of your earnings record, though you'll need to consider Medicare premiums (IRMAA) and potential taxes on your benefits. 

What is the hardest disability to prove?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
  • Mental Health Conditions. Mental illness stands as one of the most prevalent causes of disability, yet its impact is often underestimated or misunderstood. ...
  • Chronic Pain Disorders. ...
  • Fibromyalgia. ...
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
  • Autoimmune Disorders.


What is going on with Social Security in 2025?

In 2025, Social Security beneficiaries saw a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), raising average benefits by about $49 monthly, alongside an increased Social Security tax cap for high earners to $176,100. Significant legislative changes, like the Social Security Fairness Act, started impacting taxes and benefit adjustments for some, while the ongoing debate about long-term solvency continued, with projections showing trust fund depletion by the 2030s if no action is taken. 

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential. 

What are the changes coming to Social Security in 2026?

After several years of above-average cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, beneficiaries will receive a slight increase in the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) in 2026 based on the current inflation environment. Recipients will get a 2.8% raise, which is higher than the 2.5% increase last year.


How many years does the average person collect Social Security?

The average person collects Social Security for around 15-20 years, as life expectancy at 65 has increased significantly, with many living well into their 80s, meaning benefits can last from age 62 (earliest) to 70 (maximum) and beyond, often for decades, though the exact duration depends on when you start and your personal lifespan. 

What is the Social Security earnings test?

The Social Security Earnings Test (RET) reduces or withholds benefits for people claiming Social Security before their full retirement age (FRA) if they earn over a yearly limit from work; for every $2 earned over the lower limit (or $3 over a higher limit in the year you reach FRA), $1 in benefits is withheld, but these withheld amounts are added back later, permanently increasing your benefit once you reach FRA. It only applies to wages and net self-employment earnings, not pensions, investments, or retirement account withdrawals. 

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 


Can Social Security be taken away if you make too much money?

If you are younger than full retirement age and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, we may reduce your benefit amount. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2026, that limit is $24,480.

What is a GREY letter from Medicare?

If this is the case, you'll receive a Loss of Deemed Status Notice — also known as Form 11198, or a grey notice — in the mail. This grey notice informs you that, beginning on January 1, your automatic enrollment in Extra Help will end. This means that the costs for your Medicare Part D drug coverage may increase.

How many hours can I work and still receive Social Security?

You can generally work as many hours as you want on Social Security once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), with no earnings limit affecting your benefits. If you're under FRA, the number of hours matters for self-employment, where working over 45 hours/month usually disqualifies you unless it's a highly skilled job (over 15 hours/month). For employees, your income is subject to limits, and benefits get reduced if you earn too much before FRA, but hours aren't the direct measure, earnings are. 


What are the disadvantages of working while collecting Social Security?

Benefit Reductions Before Full Retirement Age

If you start collecting Social Security before your FRA and continue to work, your benefits could be temporarily reduced. In 2025, for example, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above $23,400.

What would cause my Social Security benefits to decrease?

Your Social Security benefits can decrease due to claiming early, working while collecting benefits (earnings limit), Medicare premium deductions (Parts B & D), tax withholding (federal/state), unpaid debts (student loans, back taxes), benefit overpayments, or receiving a government pension (GPO/WEP), all impacting your monthly check or total amount. 

What disqualifies you from Social Security?

You can be disqualified from Social Security for insufficient work history (not enough credits), earning too much income (especially for SSI/Disability), having a non-disabling condition, failing to follow prescribed treatment, substance abuse as the primary cause of disability, incarceration, or moving to certain countries. Eligibility depends on the benefit type (retirement, disability, SSI), but common disqualifiers involve not meeting work credits or income/resource limits. 


What will reduce my social security benefits?

Social Security benefits can be reduced due to claiming early (before full retirement age), earning above a certain limit while receiving benefits, unpaid debts (like taxes or student loans), Medicare premium deductions, low earning years in your record, or for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients if they receive significant help with food/housing. The most common reasons involve claiming early for a permanently reduced monthly amount or having your benefit temporarily docked for working too much or owing money. 

What's changing with Social Security in 2025?

The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025.