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Lesson Topics
Introduction
Persons Affected
Earnings Limit
Benefit Reductions
Earnings Defined
Reporting Changes
Resources
Summary & Case Studies

What Income Counts When Applying the Retirement Earnings Test?

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An open dictionary with the word “income” highlighted in bold

If someone works for an employer, only wages earned doing that work count toward Social Security's earnings limits.

For someone who is self-employed, only net earnings count toward the earnings limits.

In either case, the earnings limits do not apply to nonwork income—such as other government benefits, investment earnings, interest, pensions, annuities, and capital gains.

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