What is not considered earned income for Social Security?

Asked by: Gerry Sipes  |  Last update: October 1, 2025
Score: 5/5 (9 votes)

Pension payments, annuities, and the interest or dividends from your savings and investments are not earnings for Social Security purposes. You may need to pay income tax, but you do not pay Social Security taxes.

What income does not count for Social Security?

For the earnings limits, we don't count income such as other government benefits, investment earnings, interest, pensions, annuities, and capital gains.

What types of income are not considered earned income?

Earned income does not include:
  • Pay you got for work when you were an inmate in a penal institution.
  • Interest and dividends.
  • Pensions or annuities.
  • Social Security.
  • Unemployment benefits.
  • Alimony.
  • Child support.

What types of income do not count under the earnings test?

It's important to note that the earnings test does not count all types of income. Income that is not considered in the earnings test includes: Retirement income from sources such as a 401(k), 403(b), pension plans, and other similar retirement benefits. Investment income such as dividends, interest, or capital gains.

What income is exempt from Social Security?

High-Income Earners

High-income employees are not technically exempt from Social Security taxes, but part of their income is. In 2024, every dollar of taxable income someone makes above $168,600 (up from $160,200 in 2023) will effectively be exempt from Social Security taxes.

Social Security Earned Income Limits Explained (2023)

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What are earnings not covered by Social Security?

who did not withhold Social Security taxes, any pension or annuity you receive from that employer is based on what we call "non-covered earnings." This means that those earnings are not "covered" under the Social Security Act.

What is excluded income?

Key Takeaways. Income excluded from the IRS's calculation of your income tax includes life insurance death benefit proceeds, child support, welfare, and municipal bond income. The exclusion rule is generally, if your "income" cannot be used as or to acquire food or shelter, it's not taxable.

What money does not count as income?

Inheritances, gifts, cash rebates, alimony payments (for divorce decrees finalized after 2018), child support payments, most healthcare benefits, welfare payments, and money that is reimbursed from qualifying adoptions are deemed nontaxable by the IRS.

What type of income reduces Social Security benefits?

When we figure out how much to deduct from your benefits, we count only the wages you make from your job or your net profit if you're self-employed. We include bonuses, commissions, and vacation pay.

Which of the following would not be considered earned income?

Examples of income that isn't considered earned include government benefits such as payments from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, unemployment payments, workers' compensation payments, and Social Security.

What income is not earned?

Unearned Income is all income that is not earned such as Social Security benefits, pensions, State disability payments, unemployment benefits, interest income, dividends, and cash from friends and relatives. In-Kind Income is food, shelter, or both that you get for free or for less than its fair market value.

What are considered earnings for Social Security?

What Income Is Included in Your Social Security Record? (En español) Only earned income, your wages, or net income from self-employment is covered by Social Security. If money was withheld from your wages for Social Security or FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), your wages are covered by Social Security.

What is an example of income received but not earned?

Classic examples include rent payments made in advance, prepaid insurance, legal retainers, airline tickets, prepayment for newspaper subscriptions, and annual prepayment for the use of software. Receiving money before a service is fulfilled can be beneficial.

How much income can I make and still collect Social Security?

(NewsNation) — There is no limit on how much you can earn while receiving Social Security benefits if you have reached full retirement age, but if you choose to receive Social Security before that age, your benefits could be reduced.

What income is not countable?

Non-countable or excluded income, including but not limited to, the value of SNAP benefits or benefits from certain other federal programs, or cash income over which the household has no control. Income deductions (what will be subtracted from income), such as medical expenses.

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.

What income is not counted against Social Security?

And only income earned from working has this effect. Other types of income, such as dividends, interest and capital gains from investments, aren't counted by Social Security for this purpose.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

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.

What does not qualify as income?

Money you borrow or money you receive as repayment of a loan is not income. However, interest you receive on money you have lent is income.

What does not count as money?

Notice that two assets are not counted in any part of the money supply: gold and savings bonds. Gold is not money because it cannot serve as a medium of exchange.

What is not counted as income for SSI?

Generally, things that don't count toward your income limit include: State SSI supplement payments. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (food stamps) Section 8 housing vouchers.

What is excluded from Social Security earnings?

The types of earnings (or compensation payments) that are excluded from Social Security wages include: Tips (if they total less than $20 per month) Reimbursed business travel expenses. Employer-paid health or accident insurance premiums.

What is exempt from income?

Exempt income is any income that can't be taxed. Government pensions and retirement plans such as IRAs are examples of exempt income, as are gifts and inheritances. You may also qualify for an exemption if you receive disability payments or alimony.

What would disqualify you from SSI?

SOMEONE WHO IS IN A PUBLIC INSTITUTION. If you are in any institution for a whole month that is run by a Federal, State, or local government, you are not eligible for SSI for that month unless an exception applies such as residence in a public emergency shelter for the homeless or publicly operated community residence.