You and your benefit
Fill in the figures, then click Work out the withholding.
Result
Year by year
| Year | Months | Earnings counted | Limit | Withheld months | Net withheld |
|---|
If you earned more or less (first year)
| Yearly earnings | Withheld months | Net withheld | Benefits paid |
|---|
Earnings are held flat and the limits are held at the figures you entered, so later years are rough.
What it does, and what it leaves to you
- Counts: your earnings above the limit, divided by 2 (or by 3 in the FRA year, using only the months before the FRA month), withheld in whole monthly benefits with the excess paid back after the year ends. Withheld months are credited at FRA by cutting the early-claiming reduction (5/9 of 1% a month for the first 36 months, 5/12 of 1% after).
- Not decided: your real PIA and earnings record; spousal, child or survivor benefits on your record (they can be withheld too); taxes on benefits; Medicare premiums; cost-of-living adjustments and future limits; and whether claiming early is right for you.
Common questions
What is the Social Security earnings test?
If you claim retirement benefits before full retirement age and keep working, Social Security withholds part of your benefits when your earnings pass an annual limit. In 2026 it is $1 withheld for every $2 earned over $24,480. In the calendar year you reach full retirement age the limit is $65,160 and $1 is withheld for every $3 over it, counting only earnings before the month you reach that age. After full retirement age there is no test.
Is the withheld money gone for good?
No, but it comes back slowly. At full retirement age Social Security recalculates your benefit as if the months it withheld had not been claimed early, so the monthly check rises. The calculator shows the new benefit and how many months it takes the higher benefit to repay what was withheld.
Which earnings count?
Wages before deductions and net earnings from self-employment, yours only. Pensions, annuities, investment income, rental income, capital gains, interest and other Social Security benefits do not count.
How does Social Security actually withhold?
In whole monthly benefits, starting with the first checks of the year. If the amount owed is less than the last month withheld, the difference is normally paid back after the year ends.
What is the first-year monthly rule?
In your first year of benefits, a month in which you earn no more than one twelfth of the annual limit, and do no substantial work in your own business, is paid in full even if your annual total is over the limit. Enter how many such months you expect.
Does this tell me when to claim?
No. It is a worksheet that does arithmetic on the figures you enter, using a flat benefit and flat earnings. It does not cover spousal or survivor benefits on your record, taxes on benefits, Medicare premiums, cost-of-living adjustments, or the future limits. Check your own figures on ssa.gov or with a financial planner before deciding.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is worked out in your browser and nothing is sent; a test in the code asserts there are no network calls.