09/05/2026
Happy Social Security Saturday. This week I sat down with a 65-year-old woman who was told by the Social Security Administration she was ineligible for benefits, and she was understandably scared. She'd worked her whole life and paid into the system. Turns out, the issue was the earnings limit. She's still working full-time making about $55,000 a year, and because she's two years away from her full retirement age of 67, she's subject to the earnings test. If you earn over about $24,000 before your full retirement age, Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 over that limit. If you're within one year of full retirement age, the limit goes up to about $65,000, and they withhold $1 for every $3 over. We combed through her paperwork, figured it all out, and she decided to withdraw her application and wait until 67 to make things simpler. Every situation is unique, and sometimes it makes sense to file early even while working, but for most people I recommend waiting until you're truly ready to retire. Maquel, a Registered Social Security Analyst, offers personalized Social Security reviews to help you understand your maximum benefit and best filing strategy. Give our office a call if you'd like help planning your retirement.
