What Is the Social Security Earnings Limit?

The earnings limit, officially called the Retirement Earnings Test (RET), only applies if you’re collecting Social Security retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age (FRA) and you’re still earning income from work. Social Security was built to replace income for people who’ve mostly stopped working, so if you’re claiming early and still bringing in a paycheck, the SSA temporarily withholds part of your benefit once your earnings cross a certain threshold.

The key word is temporary. Any benefits withheld under this rule aren’t gone forever, they’re credited back to you later in the form of a permanently higher monthly payment once you reach full retirement age.