Social Security Withholds $1 per $2 Above $24,480 in 2026
Updated
Updated · secretnyc.co · Sep 3
Social Security Withholds $1 per $2 Above $24,480 in 2026
3 articles · Updated · secretnyc.co · Sep 3
Summary
$24,480 is the 2026 earnings-test limit for Social Security recipients who claim benefits before full retirement age and keep working.
Benefits are temporarily reduced by $1 for every $2 of wage income earned above that threshold, affecting pay from jobs, freelance work and consulting.
IRA withdrawals, dividends and capital gains do not count toward the limit, so investment income does not trigger withholding.
Full retirement age ends the earnings test, and the Social Security Administration later recalculates benefits to repay withheld amounts through higher monthly checks.