Does the earnings limit increase as you approach full retirement age?

Yes. There are two different limits under Social Security's retirement earnings test.

For 2026, the lower limit is $24,480, and it applies to beneficiaries who are still working and will not reach full retirement age (FRA) until a later year. FRA is the age at which you are entitled to 100 percent of the benefit Social Security calculates from your lifetime earnings. For these people, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 in earnings over $24,480.

The upper limit in 2026 is $65,160. It covers beneficiaries who will reach full retirement age in that year and is only applied during the months prior to the month when the beneficiary attains FRA. For these people, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 in earnings over $65,160.

Keep in mind

• Full retirement age is 66 and 10 months for people born in 1959 and 67 for people born in 1960 and after.
• If you were subject to the earnings limit, Social Security bumps up your monthly benefit once you reach FRA so that over time, you can recoup benefits that were withheld.