How much can I earn while receiving Social Security
The amount you can earn while receiving Social Security depends on your age. Your earnings in (and after) the month you reach full retirement age will not affect your Social Security benefits. However, your benefit is reduced if your earnings exceed certain limits for the months before you reach your full retirement age.
If you are under full retirement age for the entire year:
You can earn $15,120 gross wages or net self-employment a year and not lose any benefits in 2013.
We will deduct $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above $15,120.
In the year you reach full retirement age:
You can earn $40,080 gross wages or net self-employment prior to the month you reach full retirement age and not lose any benefits in 2013.
Social Security Administration will deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 earned above $40,080.
The same earnings limits apply to a spouse or child who works and receives benefits on your record. You should report earnings to us for any months and years prior to full retirement age.
According to the Social Security Administration: Under federal law, people who are receiving Social Security benefits who have not reached full retirement age are
entitled to receive all of their benefits as long as their earnings are under the limits indicated below. For people
born in 1943 through 1954, the full retirement age is 66. The full retirement age will increase gradually each year
until it reaches age 67 for people born in 1960 or later.
2013 2014
At full retirement age or older No limit on earnings No limit on earnings
Under full retirement age $15,120
For every $2 over the limit,
$1 is withheld from benefits.
$15,480
For every $2 over the limit,
$1 is withheld from benefits.
In the year you reach full
retirement age
$40,080
For every $3 over the limit, $1 is withheld
from benefits until the month you reach
full retirement age.
$41,400
For every $3 over the limit, $1 is withheld
from benefits until the month you reach
full retirement age.
Disability beneficiaries’ earnings limits: If you work while receiving disability benefits, you must tell us about
your earnings no matter how little you earn. You may have unlimited earnings during a trial work period of up to
nine months (not necessarily in a row) and still receive full benefits. Once you have completed your nine-month
trial work period, we will determine if you are still entitled to disability benefits. You also may be eligible for
other work incentives to help you make the transition back to work.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10003.pdf