Yes, you can generally take your pension and still work, but rules vary significantly by pension type (private vs. government), your age, and the specific plan's rules; private pensions might suspend payments if you work for the same employer or in the same industry, while Social Security reduces benefits if you earn over a limit before your full retirement age (FRA), but not after.
Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your benefits. You work and earn $33,400 ($8,920 more than the $24,480 limit) during the year.
Some pensions, typically government funded plan, may place a limit on other earnings while receiving a pension. Most typical private pension plan don't have those types of restrictions and allow you to work and earn all you want while still receiving the pension benefits.
Income Test
From 20 September 2025, a single pensioner can earn $218 a fortnight and still be eligible for the full single pension of $1178.70 a fortnight, including all supplements. They can also earn up to $460 a fortnight from personal exertion – this is not included in the income test (refer to Work Bonus below).
The IRS does not prohibit working while collecting pension retirement benefits, but some pensions have their own rules. Social Security has earnings limits that may reduce benefits if you work before full retirement age. Check your specific pension plan's terms and any applicable state or employer regulations.
With a personal pension, like The People's Pension, you can normally start taking money out of your pension pot from your normal minimum pension age if you want to. And you don't need to stop working to take your pension.
Turning 65 and still working offers options to delay Medicare (if you have large employer coverage) and potentially boost Social Security, but requires careful planning, especially regarding Medicare enrollment to avoid penalties and coordinating with your job's health plan, often involving checking with HR about creditable coverage and enrolling in Part A (premium-free if eligible) and potentially Part D, while deciding on delaying Social Security for higher future benefits.
Prioritizing a pension over Social Security can be attractive for several reasons. First, pensions often provide a more predictable and potentially higher income stream. The predictability of a fixed income from a pension can also be advantageous who prefer financial stability and want to plan their retirement budget.
When can I take money out of my pension? You can usually only take money out of a workplace or personal pension once you're 55 or older (rising to 57 from April 2028). You can't start claiming your State Pension before you reach State Pension age.
The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:
You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.
Yes, you can generally collect a pension and Social Security at the same time, thanks to the recent Social Security Fairness Act (2024/2025) that eliminated the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), meaning a non-covered public pension won't reduce your full Social Security benefit anymore. You'll receive your pension (from government or private work not paying Social Security tax) and your Social Security benefit (from work where you did pay taxes) as separate payments, with planning crucial to maximize both, especially waiting on Social Security to earn higher amounts.
Note:
Retirees' monthly retirement benefit payments are treated as ordinary income. Unless you specify the income tax withholding election you want applied to your benefit, federal and/or California state income tax will be withheld from your benefit payment as the default filing status defined in the tax form instructions.
Depending on how much you earn, the Social Security Administration may temporarily reduce your benefits if you work and collect benefits before full retirement age (FRA). Once you reach FRA, there's no limit on how much you can earn.
How much income can I have and still get the Age Pension? If you're single, you can earn up to $2,575.40 per fortnight and still receive a part pension. Couples can earn up to $3,934.00 combined. Transitional rate pensioners and those living apart due to ill health may have higher thresholds.
For people aged 60, Fidelity's retirement savings guidelines recommend an amount in savings worth six times your salary in order that you have enough to maintain your standard of living in retirement. So, someone earning £60,000 would need £360,000 in savings - which can mean money both inside and outside of pensions.
Technically, yes – but there are significant factors to weigh before pursuing this route. While spending down your super may reduce your assessable assets and potentially increase the Age Pension you're eligible for, it's crucial to consider how this could impact your financial security and lifestyle in retirement.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. This guide covers Pension Credit in England, Scotland and Wales.
It's best to start saving into a pension as early as you can, to maximise your retirement fund. Someone who starts in their 20s will have to put aside a much smaller proportion of their earnings to build the same pot as someone who starts saving in their 40s.