What is the Social Security earnings limit?

Below full retirement age, one dollar is withheld for every two earned above the annual limit. In the year you reach full retirement age a higher limit applies and the withholding rate falls, counting only earnings before your birthday month. From that month the test disappears entirely.

The crucial word is withheld. At full retirement age your benefit is recalculated to credit back what was held, so working does not permanently destroy the benefit — though it does change the cash flow in the meantime, which is the part worth planning around.

An estimate for planning, not a quote. Medicare and the Marketplace set your real figures.