The New 2026 Earnings Limit Numbers
There are two different limits for 2026, and which one applies to you depends entirely on whether you’ll reach full retirement age this year.
If you’re under full retirement age for all of 2026: The earnings limit is $24,480 for the year (about $2,040 a month). If you earn more than that, Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit.
If you’ll reach full retirement age at some point during 2026: The limit jumps to $65,160, and the withholding rate is less severe, $1 withheld for every $3 earned over that amount. Importantly, this higher limit only counts your earnings from January through the month before you actually turn full retirement age. Once you hit that birthday month, the earnings test stops applying entirely for the rest of the year.
If you’re already at full retirement age or older for the entire year: There’s no limit at all. You can earn any amount, from any source, and keep 100% of your Social Security benefit.
