Could Working After 70 Increase Social Security?

For those still working into their 70s, it’s natural to wonder whether continuing to earn income can lead to higher Social Security payments. While benefits stop growing from delayed retirement credits after age 70, additional work can still boost payments if those earnings replace lower-earning years. In that sense, Social Security benefits can still increase after age 70 under certain circumstances.

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan to maximize your savings and investments for retirement.

Can Working After Age 70 Can Increase Your Benefits?

Social Security benefits are based on your top 35 years of earnings. You can see your full earnings record by creating a My Social Security account at SSA.gov. If you don’t have 35 years of earnings, then making even a minuscule salary after age 70 can increase your benefit slightly because it will replace any year with a zero.

If you do have 35 years of earnings, then your benefits increase only if your current earnings exceed one of your previous 35 working years. Social Security replaces the lowest year and adjusts your benefits accordingly.

Congress created Social Security in 1935 to reduce poverty among seniors. The Social Security benefits computation is weighted more heavily towards lower earners. What this means for you is that if you have a lot of zero-income and low-income years, you’ll see a larger increase in your benefits by working.

People with 35 years of high income will not see as big of a jump by working in their 70s, even if they are replacing lower income years.

How to Get a Benefits Increase

SmartAsset: Could Working After Age 70 Increase Social Security?

You do not need to do anything to get a benefits increase in almost all cases. The Social Security Administration (SSA) receives your earnings after the Internal Revenue Service accepts the W-2 information from your employer. If you’re self-employed, it will be after your tax return is accepted and processed.

SSA automatically recalculates your benefits. This happens throughout the year but can happen as late as December of the following year. For example, Social Security may not update your 2025 earnings until December 2026.

You’ll receive a lump-sum payment for the monthly difference, retroactive to the start of the year—even if the adjustment happens late. If you have direct deposit, you’ll likely see a payment for a seemingly random amount in your account before you even get the letter explaining what it is.

If you set up a My Social Security account, you’ll have access to all of the letters SSA is sending, so you won’t have to wait for an explanation in the mail.

How Working After Age 70 Impacts Your Taxes

As Benjamin Franklin famously said — in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes. You may be officially on retirement benefits, but you still have to file and pay income taxes.

Social Security benefits count toward your taxable income. You’ll pay federal income taxes on up to 85% of your benefits if you file as single and your combined income exceeds $25,000 or if you file a joint return and your combined income exceeds $32,000.

Working and receiving benefits at the same time will likely push you over this threshold if you weren’t already. To avoid a surprise tax bill, update your W-4 withholding with your employer. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefits by filing a W-4V.

In addition to federal income taxes, Social Security is taxable in nine states in 2025 — Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Social Security does not have a way to withhold benefits for state income taxes, so you’ll need to adjust your withholding through your employer or set money aside yourself to pay state taxes when you file.

How Working After Age 70 Impacts Medicare Premiums

Earnings after age 70 can affect how much you pay for Medicare, particularly Part B and Part D premiums. Medicare premiums start with a base amount, but the final cost is determined using your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years earlier. As a result, higher income from work could push you into a higher premium bracket under the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) rules.

For example, if you’re earning well into your seventies, the Social Security Administration may use that income to determine whether you owe surcharges on top of the standard Medicare premiums. These surcharges are applied on a sliding scale, with higher earners paying significantly more.

In 2025, monthly IRMAA surcharges for Part B can range from $74 to over $443.90, depending on income level. IRMAA applies to Medicare beneficiaries with MAGI exceeding $106,000 ($212,000 for married couples who file taxes jointly).

It’s also worth noting that IRMAA calculations include not only wages but also income from self-employment, investments and other sources. If you experience a life event that reduces your income—such as retirement or reduced hours—you can submit Form SSA-44 to request lower premiums. The timing of your earnings and tax filings plays a key role in how working after 70 shapes your Medicare costs.

Bottom Line

Working after age 70 can increase your Social Security benefits, especially if you didn’t earn much in your younger years and are earning significantly more now. Keep in mind that increasing your income can affect your taxes and Medicare premiums, and plan accordingly.

Retirement Tips for Beginners

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan for your retirement needs. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Aside from the contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement account, consider other ways to set aside money for the future. A health savings account, for example, offers a tax-advantaged way to save for medical expenses. If you remain healthy, you could use the money for any purpose at all after age 65 without incurring a tax penalty.