Ask Larry

Will My Benefits Be Reduced If I Earn More Than $21,240 Through May Of This Year?

I am 64 and will be working full time until the end of May this year. I will have made over $21,240 by that time. I will then be working another job part-time after that. If I file for Social Security benefits, will be benefits get reduced?

Hi. Your monthly Social Security retirement benefit rate will be reduced for age if you claim benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA). With regard to your earnings, though, you could be paid benefits for any month(s) that you don't earn more than $1770 in 2023 regardless of how much you earn in the calendar the year (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/rule.html). In the first year that you claim benefits, either the annual earning test or the monthly test can be used. Social Security would pay you based whichever of the two tests allows you to be paid the most benefits.

Your best filing strategy depends on a number of different factors, so before deciding when to apply for your benefits you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully compare and analyze all of your options so that you can determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits. The software is fully programmed to handle earnings test considerations.

Best, Jerry

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Posted: 
Jan 20 2023 - 3:09pm
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