What types of income do not count under the earnings test?

Under Social Security’s earnings test, only wages and net self-employment earnings count toward the limit; most unearned income is excluded. Non-countable income includes pensions, annuities, investment income (interest, dividends, capital gains), government benefits, VA benefits, and, in most cases, income earned after reaching Full Retirement Age (FRA).


What income counts for a Social Security earnings test?

For the Social Security earnings limit, only earned income counts: your wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and net earnings from self-employment. Income that does not count includes pensions, annuities, investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains), and other government benefits, though some pre-entitlement self-employment income has special rules. 

What does not count as earned income?

Earned income includes all of the following types of income: Wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee pay. Employee pay is earned income only if it is taxable. Nontaxable employee pay, such as certain dependent care benefits and adoption benefits, is not earned income.


What income is not countable?

TYPES OF INCOME

Some common examples of unearned income include contributions, railroad retirement, Social Security, and Veteran's benefits. Earned or unearned income from any source that is received in a lump sum payment is not countable as income.

What income is not counted by Social Security?

Social Security generally doesn't count passive income or certain benefits, including pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, capital gains, gifts, inheritances, most government benefits (like Veterans' benefits), and rental income, when determining if you've exceeded earnings limits or to reduce your benefits (though some exceptions apply for SSI). What is counted are your actual wages or net self-employment earnings, including bonuses, commissions, and tips above a certain amount. 


The Annual Earnings Test Under FRA, Part I (How it is Figured)



What income is excluded from Social Security wages?

Social Security generally doesn't count passive income or certain benefits, including pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, capital gains, gifts, inheritances, most government benefits (like Veterans' benefits), and rental income, when determining if you've exceeded earnings limits or to reduce your benefits (though some exceptions apply for SSI). What is counted are your actual wages or net self-employment earnings, including bonuses, commissions, and tips above a certain amount. 

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.

What money does not count as income?

Nontaxable income won't be taxed, whether or not you enter it on your tax return. The following items are deemed nontaxable by the IRS: inheritances, gifts and bequests.


What is excluded from income?

Key Takeaways. Income excluded from the IRS's calculation of your income tax includes life insurance death benefit proceeds, child support, welfare, and municipal bond income. The exclusion rule is generally, if your "income" cannot be used as or to acquire food or shelter, it's not taxable.

What is not a source of income?

Sources of income include wages, salaries, stipends, and other payments received for services or work. A student loan payment, however, is not income—it is a liability or expense, as it represents money you owe and are repaying, not money you are earning.

What does Social Security consider earnings?

For Social Security, earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, and net earnings from self-employment, essentially money received for work or services, but excludes investments, pensions, annuities, and most other passive income; it's about taxable pay from labor, not just any income. This income counts toward your Social Security record (affecting benefits) and is subject to FICA taxes when earned, not just when paid out. 


What is not considered income by the IRS?

Examples of items that aren't earned income include interest and dividends, pensions and annuities, Social Security and railroad retirement benefits (including disability benefits), alimony and child support, welfare benefits, workers' compensation benefits, unemployment compensation (insurance), nontaxable foster care ...

Which type of income is not taxable?

Examples of income that are not taxable in India include agricultural income, gifts and inheritances, interest on EPF and PPF, scholarships and awards, life insurance proceeds, leave encashment, gratuity, Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG), and interest on tax-free bonds. Which investment is 100% tax-free?

Which of the following is not earned income?

The following types of income are not considered earned income: Rental income. Interest and dividends. Social Security benefits.


What are earnings not covered by Social Security?

Social Security generally doesn't count passive income or certain benefits, including pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, capital gains, gifts, inheritances, most government benefits (like Veterans' benefits), and rental income, when determining if you've exceeded earnings limits or to reduce your benefits (though some exceptions apply for SSI). What is counted are your actual wages or net self-employment earnings, including bonuses, commissions, and tips above a certain amount. 

How many Americans have $500,000 in retirement savings?

Only a small percentage of Americans have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, with recent data (late 2025/early 2026) suggesting around 7% to 9% of households have reached this milestone, though this varies by source and can be skewed by high-income earners or home equity. For instance, one study showed only 4% of all households had $500k-$999k, and 3.1% had $1M+. 

What is an example of excluded income?

Excluded income is made up of: Interest or profits from banks, building societies or other deposit takers. Dividends from UK companies. Income from unit trusts.


What is non-countable income?

Non-countable or excluded income, including but not limited to, the value of SNAP benefits or benefits from certain other federal programs, or cash income over which the household has no control. Income deductions (what will be subtracted from income), such as medical expenses.

What income is excluded from gross income?

foreign earned income and housing (see U.S. Taxation of Citizens and Residents Abroad - Foreign Earned Income Exclusion); certain fringe benefits (see Statutory Fringe Benefits Under Section 132); certain military-related amounts (see Military Service Members); general welfare payments (discussed below);

What are 7 sources of income?

7 Different Income Streams For Investors In India
  • Salary Income.
  • Interest Income.
  • Dividend Income.
  • Capital Gains Income.
  • Rental Income.
  • Profit Income.
  • Royalty Income.


What bank account can the IRS not touch?

You may be researching safe bank accounts from the IRS to attempt to avoid asset seizure or garnishment. Generally, the two types of accounts the IRS can't garnish are: Retirement accounts. Offshore accounts.

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 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 the number one regret of retirees?

Among the biggest mistakes retirees make is not adjusting their expenses to their new budget in retirement. Those who have worked for many years need to realize that dining out, clothing and entertainment expenses should be reduced because they are no longer earning the same amount of money as they were while working.