You are allowed to work while collecting benefits and earn as much as you want for a total of nine months in any rolling 60 month period. The months don’t have to be consecutive.

In some cases, working while on Social Security might decrease the benefits you receive, but it could actually increase them if you haven’t accumulated 35 years of robust work experience.

A trial work period (TWP), where there’s no earnings limit for nine months. An extended period of eligibility (EPE), which allows you to earn under the SSA’s limit for 36 additional months.