You can earn more while working and collecting benefits. If you are under full retirement age, you can earn up to $24,480 in 2026 before benefits are withheld.
Benefits for nearly 71 million people will increase by 2.8% starting in January 2026 due to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). SOCIAL SECURITY
Ida May Fuller , a legal secretary from Vermont, became the first person to receive a monthly retirement check on January 31, 1940. Her check was for $22.54 . You can earn more while working and collecting benefits
If you're posting for a current audience, these 2026 changes are high-impact: you can earn up to $24