I took early retirement in 2017. I started receiving ss when i turned 64 in 2017. I then returned to work part time and was told by SS that I could not earn more then $1410/month in order not to exceed the amount I could make while receiving ss. Normally the amount would be 16,000 approx but it needed to be divided into 12 monthly payments. I could not earn the full amount of 16,000 in the 4 months I would work before the end of the year. Now we are entering 2018. It will be my first full year of retirement but my full retirement age will not be until 2019. Must the income I can earn and maintain ss be divided into monthly amounts like above. Or can I earn 2,000 in one month and skip the next month off and then earn $2,000 in the month after that? As long as I stay with in the income limit for 2018 does it matter how much I earn per month?

Hi,

The alternate monthly earnings test can only be used in the first year of your entitlement, assuming that you earned less than $1410 in at least one of the months for which you were paid benefits this year. Therefore, next year the annual earnings test will apply and you will need to keep your calendar year earnings below $17,040 or lose $1 of benefits for each $2 that you earn in excess of that amount. The monthly breakdown of your 2018 earnings is irrelevant.

Best, Jerry