Social Security Benefit Reduction Rules – Will My Social Security Benefits Be Reduced? (2026)

2026 · WILL MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS BE REDUCED?
What is your Full Retirement Age (FRA)?Sorry, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $3 in earnings above $65,160 in the months prior to reaching your FRA.Birth Year:1943-1954195519561957195819591960+FRA:Age 66Age 66 + 2 mo.Age 66 + 4 mo.Age 66 + 6 mo.Age 66 + 8 mo.Age 66 + 10 mo.Age 67What will be your age when you begin to collect?FRA.You’ll collect 100%of your benefits.Between FRA and age 70.Benefits are increased for each month that you delay claiming after your FRA. The maximum increase, if your FRA is 66 and you delay to 70, is 32%.Which best describes your situation?Will you reach your FRA this year?NoMarried.See “Am I Eligible For Social Security Benefits As A Spouse?” flowchart.Widowed.See “Am I Eligible For Social Security Benefits As A Surviving Spouse?” flowchart.Divorced.See “Am I Eligible For Social Security Benefits If I HaveBeen Divorced?” flowchart.Do you plan on working while collecting benefits?None.Sorry, you are not eligible for Social Security benefits.Between 62 and FRA.Sorry, your benefits are reduced for each month that you claim before your FRA. The maximum reduction, if you claim at 62 and your FRA is 67, is 30%.Your benefits will not be further reduced.Sorry, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above $24,480.What will be your provisional income (MAGI + 50% of Social Security Benefits)?Single: $25k or lessMFJ: $32k or less0% of Social Security will be taxed.Single: $25k - $34kMFJ: $32k - $44kUp to 50% of Social Security will be taxed.Single: Over $34kMFJ: Over $44kUp to 85% of Social Security will be taxed.YesNoNoYesYesCan you collect benefits on your own work history?START HERE
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 Dejan Ilijevski, MBA, MS

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