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Exempt Amounts Under the Earnings Test
Automatic Determinations
Determinations:
Lower exempt amount
Higher exempt amount
Exempt amounts in 1975-99
Indexed program amounts
How
Work Affects Your Benefits
How the earnings test works
The retirement earnings test applies only to people below
normal retirement age (NRA). Social Security
withholds benefits if your earnings exceed a certain level, called a retirement
earnings test exempt amount, and if you are under your NRA.  One of two
different exempt amounts apply — a lower amount in years before the year you
attain NRA and a higher amount in the year you attain NRA.  These
exempt amounts generally increase annually with increases in the
national average wage index.  It is important to note that any benefits withheld while
you continue to work are not "lost".  Once you reach NRA,
your monthly benefit will be increased permanently to account for the months in which benefits were withheld.
Exempt Amounts for 2026
We determine the exempt amounts using procedures defined in the Social
Security Act.  For people attaining NRA after 2026, the annual
exempt amount in 2026 is $24,480.
For people attaining NRA in 2026, the annual exempt amount is
$65,160. This higher exempt amount
applies only to earnings made in months prior to the month of NRA attainment.
Benefits Withheld When Earnings Exceed Exempt Amounts
We withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 of earnings
in excess of the lower exempt amount.  We withhold $1 in benefits for every $3
of earnings in excess of the higher exempt amount. Earnings in or after the
month you reach NRA do not count toward the retirement test.
Annual Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts
Year
Lower amount a
Higher amount b
2000
$10,080$17,000
2001
10,68025,000
2002
11,28030,000
2003
11,52030,720
2004
11,64031,080
2005
12,00031,800
2006
12,48033,240
2007
12,96034,440
2008
13,56036,120
2009
14,16037,680
2010
14,16037,680
2011
14,16037,680
2012
14,64038,880
2013
15,12040,080
2014
15,48041,400
2015
15,72041,880
2016
15,72041,880
2017
16,92044,880
2018
17,04045,360
2019
17,64046,920
2020
18,24048,600
2021
18,96050,520
2022
19,56051,960
2023
21,24056,520
2024
22,32059,520
2025
23,40062,160
2026
24,48065,160
a Applies in years before the year of
attaining NRA.b Applies in the year of attaining NRA, for months
prior to such attainment.
From 1983-1999 the higher exempt amounts applied at ages 65 through 69,
as shown in our historical series of exempt
amounts.
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