Social Security Earnings Test Calculator
Estimate retirement benefit withholding under the annual earnings test. In an FRA year, enter only earnings and benefits for the relevant pre-FRA months.
Rule year: 2026 · USD · Sources checked
Estimated benefit withholding under annual earnings test
Annual retirement earnings test only; relevant wages/self-employment earnings and pre-FRA months already established. No first-retirement-year monthly exception, self-employment substantial-services test, pension/investment income, actual check withholding schedule or later FRA benefit recomputation.
For informational purposes only. This estimate is not financial advice, a tax return, a payroll calculation or a lender decision. See the supported circumstances and exclusions below.
How this calculator works
Before full retirement age throughout 2026, SSA generally withholds $1 of benefits for each $2 of covered annual earnings above $24,480. In the year FRA is reached, the higher $65,160 limit and $1-for-$3 rule apply only to covered earnings before the FRA month. Starting with FRA, the earnings limit no longer applies. This tool caps the illustrative withholding at benefits entered for the applicable months. The special first-year monthly rule and actual SSA payment scheduling are separate.
Formula and rules
Annual-test withholding = max(0, covered earnings − applicable limit) / 2, or / 3 in the FRA year. Illustrative withholding is capped at entered applicable benefits.
Assumptions and limitations
Annual retirement earnings test only; relevant wages/self-employment earnings and pre-FRA months already established. No first-retirement-year monthly exception, self-employment substantial-services test, pension/investment income, actual check withholding schedule or later FRA benefit recomputation.
Worked example
A person under FRA throughout 2026 with $26,480 covered earnings exceeds the $24,480 limit by $2,000. The annual-test illustration withholds $1,000 from $24,000 of entered benefits.
- Estimated benefit withholding under annual earnings test
- $1,000.00
- Entered benefits remaining after test
- $23,000.00
- Covered earnings above applicable limit
- $2,000.00
- Annual earnings limit
- $24,480
Official sources and review
Reviewed against the sources below on 2026-10-06. Rates are held in versioned rule modules. Versioned rules, official source review and year-specific calculation tests.
- SSA: working while receiving benefits ↗
2026 earnings limits $24,480/$65,160, with $1 withheld per $2/$3 above the applicable limit.
Common questions
Does investment income use the earnings limit?
The retirement earnings test concerns covered work earnings, not ordinary pension or investment income. Federal tax on benefits is a different calculation.
What should I enter in the year I reach FRA?
Use covered earnings and benefit months before the month of FRA. The higher limit applies only to that pre-FRA earnings period.
Are withheld benefits always permanently lost?
SSA can recompute benefits at FRA to credit months affected by the earnings test. This tool does not model that later adjustment.