If you retire before reaching full retirement age (FRA), and you've already earned more than the annual earnings limit, there's a special rule that applies for that year.
It allows you to receive a full Social Security check for each whole month the Social Security Administration considers you to be retired, regardless of your yearly earnings.
You're considered retired if:
You're younger than FRA the entire year and your monthly earnings in retirement fall within a certain range ($1,470 or less in 2019) and you didn't perform substantial services in self-employment.
You reach FRA in the year you retire and your monthly earnings in retirement fall within a certain range ($3,910 or less in 2019) and you didn't perform substantial services in self-employment.
See how it works: Special rule for the year you retire