The growing concerns about financial stability in retirement are prompting many older Americans to remain in the workforce longer. While Social Security benefits can be a great way to supplement that income, it tough to figure out what you can expect if you’re still working while receiving those federal payments—or if it’s even allowed. So we asked financial experts everything you need to know about this overlap. Keep reading to find out the answer to the question “Can I work and collect Social Security?” as well as the pros and cons of collecting benefits before retirement.

Can I work and collect Social Security?

If you’re wondering if you can collect Social Security benefits while working, experts say the answer is yes. In fact, you can apply for it as soon as you’re 62 years old. Even though the full retirement age is 67, plenty of Americans who receive benefits this early are still in the workforce.

But since everyone’s situation is different, it’s a good idea to evaluate whether working and collecting Social Security is the right fit for you. This is especially true for making the decision to collect benefits as soon as you’re eligible.

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Collecting benefits early? Here’s what to expect

If you decide to collect Social Security benefits before your full retirement age, it’s important to understand how your earnings may affect your benefit amount.

“Taking Social Security benefits before you reach full retirement age places a limit on how much you can earn before the Social Security benefits are to be adjusted,” says Jeffrey Stouffer, finance expert for JustAnswer and certified financial planner. “This limit for 2025 is $23,400. For every $2 you earn over this amount, your Social Security will be reduced by $1.”

Keep in mind that if you collect before full retirement age, you won’t yet qualify for the enhanced standard deduction for older Americans included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Thanks to the legislation, there’s an extra $6,000 allowance for single taxpayers over the age of 65.

But you will get to reap the full financial advantages once you reach age eligibility.

“The key is that you’re not losing that money forever,” adds Michael Liner, founder and head disability attorney at Liner Legal. “Once you reach full retirement age, Social Security recalculates your benefit to give you credit for the months where money was withheld so you catch up later on.”

What to consider when working and collecting Social Security

Before deciding if you should collect Social Security while still working, there are some advantages and drawbacks to consider.

The biggest advantage is that you’ll earn more income, which can be useful if you’re on a tight budget. More money in your pocket can help you pay bills, cover medical expenses and more.

But you could find that collecting both a regular paycheck and Social Security can impact your tax situation when it’s time to file.

“Having extra income can make more of your benefits taxable,” explains Liner. This is especially important to consider if you collect before full retirement age, since you won’t yet be eligible for that previously mentioned extra deduction.

“Between this and the reduced benefits amount paid, it may not be the best choice [to collect early],” cautions Stouffer. “If other avenues are available to increase earned income, I suggest giving those priority and preserving the Social Security benefits to the fullest.”

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How long can I work and collect Social Security benefits?

Some older Americans may decide to keep working even after they reach retirement age. If your health, schedule and personal situation allow, this is a viable option—and can lead to more money in your pocket.

“Once you hit full retirement age there’s no penalty at all, so you can work as much as you want and collect your full check,” says Liner. “For a lot of people that’s the best of both worlds: steady income plus Social Security. It makes sense if you want to stay busy, keep employer health coverage or hold off tapping retirement savings.”

Another perk: The more you work, the more you can potentially increase your monthly benefit amount. Since Social Security calculates your benefit based on your highest-earning years, continuing to work could mean even more financial security down the road.

Making the right choice for your situation

Ultimately, the decision to keep working while collecting Social Security benefits is entirely up to you. Experts say it can work very well depending on your situation, and doing some research can ensure you’re prepared before you are eligible.

“For a lot of people, combining Social Security with even part-time work means more stability and a sense of purpose,” shares Liner. “The best move is to learn the rules ahead of time so you can plan and avoid surprises.”

Once you know what to expect, you can relieve any anxiety that may be linked to your finances in your 60s and beyond.