You can continue to work after you claim
However, Social Security is designed to replace your earnings when you no longer work. So if you start to collect benefits and continue work before you reach your Full Retirement Age, some of your benefits might be withheld.
Before the Full Retirement Age, Social Security withholds…
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Benefits withheld aren’t lost
They’re rolled forward to increase your Social Security monthly benefits after you reach the Full Retirement Age.
For example, say you start to collect benefits at 62, continue to work, and only retire for good at 63. If you earn so much that half your monthly benefits are withheld, at the Full Retirement Age your monthly benefit is raised to what it would be had you started to collect at 62 and a half.
© 2009, by Trustees of Boston College, Center for Retirement Research
Does not represent the Social Security Administration.