From 24/7 Wall St. · Gerelyn Terzo · · 1m 10s
Social Security Bonus After Retirement Move
Oklahoma City employer moves to Texas, pays $20k retention bonus after retirement, Social Security may count it.
In brief
Oklahoma City employer moves to Texas, pays $20k retention bonus after retirement, Social Security may count it. A retiree who stayed through his Oklahoma City employer's move to Houston received a $20,000 retention bonus that Social Security may count against benefits if it was earned post-retirement. Originally…
Oklahoma City Employer Moves to Texas
Two Oklahoma City energy companies, Devon Energy and Expand Energy, moved their headquarters to Houston after industry consolidation.
Retention Bonus After Retirement
An employee received a $20,000 retention bonus after retiring when his employer moved to Texas.
Social Security Rules for Retention Bonuses
Social Security counts retention bonuses as special payments if work was completed before retirement.
Bonus Timing Matters
The bonus qualifies as a special payment if the employee met all conditions before retirement.
Earnings Limit Impact
The 2026 earnings limit is $24,480; bonuses over this amount reduce Social Security benefits.
Documentation for Social Security
Employees need to prove when they earned bonuses using Form SSA-131 and retention agreements.
What Happens Next
The employee should check with Social Security using the retention agreement to avoid benefit reductions.
At a glance
A retiree who stayed through his Oklahoma City employer's move to Houston received a $20,000 retention bonus that Social Security may count against benefits if it was earned post-retirement.
