Can Son Draw Social Security on Both Parents' Work Records?
My son was disabled prior to age 18?and is now 39. He lives with us at home?and draws Social Security benefits on his dad's w...
Read moreMany people continue to work beyond retirement age, either by choice or out of necessity. But if you are receiving Social Security benefits, you need to be aware of how working can affect your benefit payments. Earning income above Social Security thresholds can cause a reduction in benefits and have tax consequences.
Whether it makes sense to work and collect Social Security at the same time is a complicated assessment that depends on how much you earn and when you begin taking Social Security benefits.
If you work and are at full retirement age or older, you can earn as much as you want, and your benefits will not be reduced. However, individuals may begin taking Social Security retirement benefits early beginning at age 62. If you are younger than full retirement age, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits. If you earn more than $21,240 (in 2023), Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn over the threshold.
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In the year you reach full retirement age, you can earn up to $56,520 (in 2023) without having a reduction in benefits. However, if you exceed $56,520 in earnings, Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefits for every $3 you earn over the limit until the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, your benefits will no longer be reduced.
For example, if your monthly Social Security benefit is $800 and you earn less than $21,240, you will receive $9,600 in benefits for the year. However, if you earn $22,000 ($760 over the threshold), you will receive $9,220 in benefits ($9,600 minus one-half of $760).
Note that if your benefits are withheld, at least some of those benefits will be returned to you in the form of higher monthly benefits once you reach full retirement age. When you reach full retirement age, Social Security will recalculate your benefits to take into account the months in which your benefits were withheld. In addition, if your latest year of earnings turns out to be one of your highest years, Social Security will refigure your benefit based on the higher earnings and pay you any increase due.
Another way that working can affect Social Security is with regard to taxes. If your combined income (Social Security calculates combined income by adding one-half of your Social Security benefits to your other income) is between $25,000 and $34,000 (or $32,000 and $44,000, if filing jointly), you may have to pay taxes on 50 percent of your benefits. If your income is more than $34,000 (or $44,000 if filing jointly), then you may have to pay taxes on up to 85 percent of your benefits. Find more information on taxes and Social Security benefits.
Read more about Social Security retirement benefits and calculations.
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