Social Security Earnings Test Calculator
See how wages or self-employment earnings may temporarily reduce retirement benefits before full retirement age under the 2026 limits.
Estimated benefits after withholding
$11,240Annual benefits withheld
$12,7602026 earnings limit used
$24,480This is a planning estimate. Claiming by month, deemed-filing rules, family maximums, government pensions, disability, remarriage, and SSA record details can change the payment.
Income that counts for the earnings test
SSA generally counts wages from a job and net earnings from self-employment. Pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, veterans benefits, and other government or military retirement benefits generally do not count.
Special monthly rules can apply in the first year of retirement, and the FRA-year limit counts only earnings before the month you reach FRA.
Earnings test questions
What is the 2026 Social Security earnings limit?
If you are under FRA for all of 2026, the limit is $24,480. In the year you reach FRA, the higher limit is $65,160 and only earnings before the FRA month count.
How much does Social Security withhold if I work?
Before the year of FRA, SSA withholds $1 for every $2 above $24,480. In the year you reach FRA, it withholds $1 for every $3 above $65,160 before your FRA month.
Are withheld Social Security benefits lost?
No. After you reach FRA, SSA recalculates your benefit to credit months when benefits were withheld under the earnings test.