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Figures here are for general information. Wages, amounts and dates can change or differ from the official values. Always confirm them with the official state or federal agency before you rely on them.
If you get Social Security retirement benefits and still work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may hold back part of your benefit. This is called the retirement earnings test. It only applies before you reach full retirement age. This page explains the 2027 limits.
The 2027 earnings limits
| Your situation in 2027 | Yearly limit | What SSA withholds |
|---|---|---|
| You are under full retirement age for all of 2027 | $25,560 | $1 of benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit |
| You reach full retirement age during 2027 | $67,920 | $1 of benefits for every $3 you earn above the limit |
SSA lists both amounts on its 2027 cost-of-living fact sheet and its exempt amounts page. The limits are higher than in 2026, when they were $24,480 and $65,160.
Which rule applies to you
- Under full retirement age all year. The $25,560 limit applies to your earnings for the whole year. SSA takes back $1 for each $2 over the limit.
- The year you reach full retirement age. The $67,920 limit applies. Only the earnings you make in the months before your birthday month count. SSA takes back $1 for each $3 over the limit.
- Full retirement age or older. There is no limit. Your benefits are not reduced because of your earnings.
What is full retirement age
Full retirement age is the age when you can get your full benefit. For people born in 1960 or later, it is 67. SSA has a full retirement age chart for earlier birth years.
Is the withheld money gone for good
No. SSA says your benefit is raised at your full retirement age to make up for the benefits it held back. Over time you may get that money back as a higher monthly amount.
A simple example
Say you are 64 for all of 2027 and you earn $30,560 at your job. That is $5,000 over the $25,560 limit. SSA would withhold half of that, or $2,500, from your benefits for the year.
This is an example only. SSA works out your real amount from your own earnings record. You can use SSA’s retirement earnings test calculator to see how work could affect your own benefit.
Common questions
What is the Social Security earnings limit for 2027?
It is $25,560 if you are under full retirement age for the whole year. It is $67,920 in the year you reach full retirement age.
How much does SSA withhold?
SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $25,560. In the year you reach full retirement age, it withholds $1 for every $3 you earn above $67,920.
Does the limit apply after I reach full retirement age?
No. After you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn.
Where can I check my own situation?
Use SSA’s calculator or your my Social Security account on ssa.gov. You can also contact SSA.
Sources
- Social Security Administration, 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment fact sheet
- Social Security Administration, Exempt Amounts Under the Earnings Test
- Social Security Administration, Full Retirement Age chart
- Social Security Administration, Retirement Earnings Test Calculator