# Social Security Withholds Checks If You Earn Too Much

> Retirees earning over $24,480 yearly face Social Security withholding until full retirement age
- Title: Social Security Withholds Checks If You Earn Too Much
- Summary: Retirees earning over $24,480 yearly face Social Security withholding until full retirement age Social Security will withhold 50 cents per $2 earned over…
- Keywords: social security, earnings test, retirement, ssaa, federal retirement, social security benefits, withholding, retirement income, social security earnings limit, full retirement age, ssaa earnings limit, ssaa withholding
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/09/21/earn-over-24480-while-collecting-social-security-and-the-ssa-starts-withholding-your-checks
- Author: Maurie Backman
- Published: 2026-09-21T17:27:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: social security, earnings test, retirement, ssaa, federal retirement, social security benefits, withholding, retirement income, social security earnings limit, full retirement age, ssaa earnings limit, ssaa withholding
## Retirement Jobs Risk Benefits
Working during retirement can boost income but may trigger Social Security withholding if earnings exceed limits
## Social Security Earnings Test
The earnings limit for those under full retirement age is $24,480 for 2026
## Withholding Rules Explained
For every $2 earned over the limit, $1 is withheld from Social Security checks
## Full Retirement Age
Full retirement age is 67 for those born in 1960 or later
## Benefits Repaid Later
Once full retirement age is reached, Social Security repays withheld amounts through larger checks
## Earnings Limit Changes
The earnings limit typically increases annually with wage growth
## Key takeaway

Social Security will withhold 50 cents per $2 earned over $24,480 for those under full retirement age