Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Earnings Limits

For individuals receiving SSDI, the amount of money you can earn without affecting your benefits is subject to the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. The SSA defines SGA as the level of earnings that demonstrate that you are capable of working regularly. Here’s what you need to know:

• 2025 Earnings Limit: The monthly SGA limit for individuals with disabilities who are working is $1,470 (or $2,460 if you’re blind). If you earn more than this amount, the SSA may consider that you are engaging in substantial gainful activity and may decide that you are no longer eligible for SSDI benefits.
• Trial Work Period: If you are receiving SSDI and want to test your ability to work without losing your benefits, you can take advantage of the Trial Work Period (TWP). During the TWP, you can earn more than the SGA limit without losing your SSDI benefits. In 2025, you can earn up to $1,050 per month during the TWP, and the SSA will still consider you disabled.
• Once you have completed nine trial months within a 60-month period, the SSA will assess whether you can continue working at the SGA level. If you continue earning above the SGA threshold, your benefits may stop.
• Work Incentives: The SSA also offers several work incentives designed to help SSDI recipients transition back into the workforce. These incentives allow you to earn more than the SGA limit without immediately losing your benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Earnings Limits

For individuals receiving SSI, the rules for how much you can earn are different. SSI is a needs-based program, and the amount of money you can earn will affect your eligibility.

• 2025 Income Limits: The SSI income limit is $2,000 per month for individuals and $3,000 per month for couples. However, this is not an automatic disqualification; only countable income is considered, which means certain income is excluded (such as the first $20 of unearned income and the first $65 of earned income each month).
• Earned vs. Unearned Income: The SSA differentiates between earned income (wages, salary, or self-employment income) and unearned income (such as Social Security benefits, pensions, or investments). The amount of earned income you can make while receiving SSI is more strictly limited than unearned income.
• SSI Work Incentives: Similar to SSDI, the SSA offers work incentives for SSI recipients. These work incentives may allow you to keep your benefits while you earn an income, such as:
• The General Income Exclusion: The SSA does not count the first $20 of your monthly income.
• The Earned Income Exclusion: The SSA doesn’t count the first $65 of earned income plus half of your remaining earned income.
• For example, if you earn $1,000 per month, the SSA will only count $935 toward your income because you can exclude the first $65 of earned income and half of the remaining $935.
• Living Arrangement: If you live in someone else's home or a situation where your housing is subsidized, this could affect the amount of your SSI benefits, regardless of how much money you make.

Social Security Retirement Benefits and Earnings Limits

If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits, the amount of money you can earn without affecting your benefits depends on your age and whether you have reached Full Retirement Age (FRA).

• Before Full Retirement Age: If you’re under your Full Retirement Age, you can earn up to $21,240 per year (about $1,770 per month) without your benefits being affected. For every $2 you earn over the limit, the SSA will deduct $1 from your benefits.
• The Year You Reach Full Retirement Age: In the year you turn Full Retirement Age, the income limit increases to $56,520 per year (about $4,710 per month). In this case, the SSA deducts $1 for every $3 you earn over the limit.
• After Full Retirement Age: Once you reach Full Retirement Age, there are no income limits. You can earn as much as you want, and your Social Security retirement benefits will not be reduced.

How to Report Your Earnings to the SSA

It’s important to report your earnings to the SSA regularly to ensure you remain in compliance with their rules. You can do this by:

• Online: Use your my Social Security account to report earnings.
• By Phone: Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
• In Person: Visit your local SSA office.