About the Social Security Earnings Test Calculator
This Social Security earnings test calculator shows how much of your retirement benefit SSA will hold back if you claim before full retirement age (FRA) and keep working. Enter your monthly benefit, what you expect to earn this year and whether you reach FRA this year, and it calculates the amount withheld, how many monthly checks that means, what you keep, and how much your benefit rises once SSA credits back the withheld months at FRA.
For 2026 the annual earnings limit is $24,480 if you are under FRA for the whole year; SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above it. In the calendar year you reach FRA the limit is $65,160 and only $1 for every $3 above it is withheld, counting only earnings in the months before your FRA birthday month. From the month you reach FRA there is no limit at all.
Only wages and net self-employment earnings count — pensions, investment income, interest and annuities do not. The calculator uses the annual test; in your first year of retirement a special monthly rule can pay full benefits for any month you earn $2,040 or less ($5,430 in the year you reach FRA) and do not perform substantial self-employment, which is not modelled here.
With the default inputs, the benefits withheld in 2026 is $7,760.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the social security earnings test calculator
- 1Enter your current monthly benefit from your SSA award letter.
- 2Enter the wages and net self-employment income you expect to earn in 2026.
- 3Choose whether you reach full retirement age during 2026.
- 4Set the number of benefit months under FRA and how early you claimed.
- 5Review the amount withheld, the checks held back and your recalculated benefit at FRA.
Formula and method
The annual retirement earnings test compares your earnings from work (E) with the exempt amount (L). SSA withholds $1 for every $2 above $24,480 if you are under full retirement age all year, or $1 for every $3 above $65,160 in the year you reach FRA — counting only earnings before the FRA month. Withholding can never exceed the benefits payable for the months tested (B × m).
In practice SSA stops whole monthly checks at the start of the year until the required amount is covered. Those months are later treated as if you had not claimed: at full retirement age your early-retirement reduction is recomputed using fewer early months, permanently raising your check. The estimate assumes an FRA of 67 and the standard reduction of 5/9 of 1% per month for the first 36 months early and 5/12 of 1% after.
- E
- Earnings from work counted under the test
- L
- 2026 annual exempt amount
- k
- Withholding ratio: $1 per $2 or $1 per $3 above the limit
- B × m
- Monthly benefit × months tested
Worked examples
$1,800 benefit, earning $40,000, under FRA all year
Earnings are $15,520 over the $24,480 limit, so SSA withholds half: $7,760. That is covered by holding back 5 monthly checks of $1,800, with the $1,240 over-withholding refunded later; net, you keep $13,840 of $21,600. Because 5 months are credited back at FRA, a benefit claimed 36 months early rises from $1,800 to about $1,862.50.
Reaching FRA in 2026, earning $80,000 before FRA
In the FRA year the limit is $65,160 and only $1 in $3 above it is withheld: ($80,000 − $65,160) ÷ 3 = $4,946.67. With $2,400 checks, SSA holds back 3 of the 8 pre-FRA payments, and after the refund you keep $14,253.33 of $19,200.
Part-time job under the limit
Earning $20,000 stays under the $24,480 limit, so nothing is withheld and you keep all $18,000 of benefits. You could earn another $4,480 before withholding starts.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I earn while collecting Social Security in 2026?+
If you are under full retirement age all year, you can earn $24,480 before benefits are reduced; SSA then withholds $1 for every $2 above that. In the year you reach full retirement age the limit is $65,160 with $1 withheld per $3 over.
Is withheld Social Security lost forever?+
No. When you reach full retirement age SSA recalculates your benefit as if you had not received the withheld months, which permanently raises your monthly payment. If you live long enough you recover the withheld amount.
What income counts toward the earnings test?+
Only gross wages from a job and net earnings from self-employment count. Pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and government or military retirement benefits do not count toward the limit.
Does the earnings test apply after full retirement age?+
No. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age you can earn any amount without any benefits being withheld.
What is the monthly earnings test in the first year?+
In the first year you retire, SSA can pay a full benefit for any month you earn $2,040 or less (in 2026; $5,430 in the year you reach full retirement age) and do not perform substantial self-employment, even if your annual earnings exceed the limit.
Does the earnings test affect spousal and survivor benefits?+
Yes. If you receive spousal or survivor benefits before full retirement age, your own earnings can reduce them. A worker’s earnings can also reduce benefits paid to family members on his or her record.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.