Get Paid for Working AND for Being Retired

Working While Collecting Social Security?

You can earn as much as you want once you reach full retirement age. Full retirement age is 65 for those born in 1938 and earlier (that age gradually increases to 67 for people born after 1959). An earnings limit applies for each month prior to attaining full retirement age.

If you're reaching full retirement age in 2005, you can earn $31,800 without having to repay any Social Security benefits. Exceed this limit and you'll have to repay $1 for every $3 earned above the limit. If you'll be below retirement age all year, the most you can earn is $12,000, or else you'll repay $1 of benefits for every $2 you exceed the earnings limit.

For more details on how this works, check the SSA's website.