9 National Park Jobs for Retirees With Good Salaries

Social Security Earnings Limits: Protecting Your Benefits in 2026

Working during retirement can impact your Social Security benefits if you claim payments before your Full Retirement Age (FRA). Understanding the Social Security Administration’s Retirement Earnings Test prevents costly financial surprises.

If you are younger than your FRA for the entire calendar year, earnings limits apply directly. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the annual exempt earnings threshold is $24,480 in 2026.

The SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the annual threshold. For reference, the earnings threshold stood at $22,320 in 2024 and $23,400 in 2025.

A higher limit applies during the calendar year you reach Full Retirement Age. In 2026, the threshold jumps to $65,160 for months leading up to your birthday month.

In that specific transition year, the SSA withholds only $1 in benefits for every $3 earned above the limit. This rule provides extra flexibility for seasonal workers approaching full retirement.

Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, all earnings limits vanish completely. You can earn an unlimited salary from park jobs without any reduction to your monthly Social Security payments.

Seasonal park wages represent taxable earned income subject to federal and state levies. Review current withholding guidelines through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to prevent unexpected tax bills next spring.