Working While Collecting: The 2026 Earnings Limits
If you choose to claim your divorced spouse benefit while continuing to work, you must navigate the Social Security retirement earnings test. Earning too much before reaching your Full Retirement Age triggers a temporary withholding of your benefits.
The 2026 earnings test rules are strictly enforced:
- Under Full Retirement Age for the entire year: The annual earnings limit is $24,480. For every $2 you earn above this threshold, Social Security withholds $1 from your benefit payments.
- The year you reach Full Retirement Age: In the months leading up to your birthday, the limit increases significantly to $65,160. During this window, the penalty is reduced; the SSA withholds $1 for every $3 you earn above the cap.
- After reaching Full Retirement Age: The earnings limit completely disappears. You can earn an unlimited amount of income from work without facing any benefit reductions.
It is important to note that the earnings test only applies to wages from a job or net earnings from self-employment. Investment returns, pensions, capital gains, and annuity payouts do not count toward this limit.
