Can you retire at 55 and still work?

Asked by: Alivia Runolfsdottir  |  Last update: February 1, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (43 votes)

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time before your full retirement age. However, your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the yearly earnings limits.

What are the rules for retiring at 55?

What Is the Rule of 55? Under the terms of this rule, you can withdraw funds from your current job's 401(k) or 403(b) plan with no 10% tax penalty if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55. (Qualified public safety workers can start even earlier, at 50.)

What happens to my Social Security if I retire at 55?

However, you unfortunately cannot begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits at 55. The earliest age you can begin drawing Social Security retirement benefits is 62. But there's a catch – taking Social Security benefits prior to reaching your full retirement age results in a reduction of your benefit amount.

Can I retire at 55 and keep working?

Can I take my pension early and continue to work? The short answer is yes. These days, there is no set retirement age. You can continue working for as long as you like and, from the age of 55, access most private pensions in various ways.

What is the rule of 55 for Social Security?

However, the IRS rule of 55 may allow you to receive a distribution in the year you reach age 55 or later (and before age 59½) without triggering the early penalty if your plan provides for such distributions. Any distribution would still be subject to an income tax withholding rate of 20 percent, however.

Retire at 55 with the rule of 55

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What is the loophole to retire at 55?

This is where the rule of 55 comes in. If you turn 55 (or older) during the calendar year you lose or leave your job, you can begin taking distributions from your 401(k) without paying the early withdrawal penalty. However, you must still pay taxes on your withdrawals.

How much do you lose if you retire at 55?

If you retire at age 55, you probably won't be eligible to receive Social Security retirement benefits for several years or be able to withdraw money from your retirement accounts without paying a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Additionally, for most people, Medicare won't kick in for another 10 years.

Can I retire at 55 and get another job?

If you are a service retiree, you can work for a private industry employer not associated with any CalPERS employer without restrictions and continue to receive your CalPERS retirement allowance . If you are a disability retiree, there are limitations on private sector employment .

How much do I lose if I retire early?

If you started paying into your pension at 35 and the pension is based on 1/80 of your final salary, then: retiring at 55 would give 20/80 of final salary. retiring at 65 would give 30/80 of final salary.

What are the pros and cons of retirement at 55?

Pros and cons of early retirement
  • Pro: Making a fresh start. ...
  • Pro: Deepening personal relationships. ...
  • Pro: Traveling in good health. ...
  • Con: Paying for healthcare. ...
  • Con: Incurring early withdrawal penalties. ...
  • Con: Leaving Social Security money on the table.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

Can I retire at 55 with no money?

Retiring with little to no money saved is not impossible, but it can present some challenges to your financial plan. Depending on where you're starting from, you may need to delay Social Security benefits, work longer, or drastically reduce expenses to retire with no money saved.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

How much 401k do I need to retire at 55?

By age 35, aim to save one to one-and-a-half times your current salary for retirement. By age 50, that goal is three-and-a-half to six times your salary. By age 60, your retirement savings goal may be six to 11-times your salary.

How long do people live when they retire at 55?

A paper attributed to the aircraft-maker Boeing shows that employees who retire at 55 live to, on average, 83. But those who retire at 65 only last, on average, another 18 months. The "Boeing study" has been quoted by newspapers, magazines and pundits.

Can I retire at 55 with 300k?

This means if you retire at 55 with £300k, an individual will run out of funds in approximately 7 years, and a couple in 5 years. So, on paper, it doesn't look like enough. But your motives and goals in retirement are likely completely different from the next person. Only you know what you want to do in retirement.

Can you collect unemployment if you are retired?

In many cases, it is possible to collect unemployment benefits and Social Security income at the same time. So, if you're receiving regular Social Security retirement benefits and you lose your job, you may still be eligible for unemployment compensation.

How much money will I lose if I retire at 62 instead of 65?

A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent. Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.

Can I collect Social Security at 55?

The earliest age you can start receiving retirement benefits is age 62. If you file for benefits when you reach full retirement age, you will receive full retirement benefits.

What is it called when you retire but still work?

If you are close to retiring, you may be wondering whether you can retire and still work a job. This is commonly referred to as “working in retirement,” and you may consider this option to supplement your income, stay active, maintain a sense of purpose, or pursue a passion.

Is retiring at 55 realistic?

Retiring at an age as young as 55 is a dream for many Americans. However, turning this vision into reality involves some significant financial planning and maneuvering. For example, you'll need to build significant savings, invest your money, account for early withdrawal taxes and take a lot more into consideration.

What is the #1 reason to take Social Security at 62?

Those facing financial emergencies, such as a layoff or debt, may benefit from accessing Social Security early. If you retire early and need extra income, Social Security benefits can provide supplemental funds to support your new lifestyle, hobbies or retirement activities.

Can my wife collect my Social Security while I'm alive?

You may qualify for benefits on your spouse's Social Security earnings record if: You are 62 or older. Or, you are younger but caring for a child under 16 or a child with disabilities who is under 19.