Social Security Q&A: work and benefits

Question: How much money can I earn and still get Social Security benefits?

Answer: It depends on your age. Social Security uses the formulas below to determine how much your benefit must be reduced when you earn money:

If you are younger than your full retirement age when you start getting your Social Security payments, we deduct $1 in benefits for each $2 you earn above an annual limit. For 2009, that limit is $14,160.

In the year you reach your full retirement age, we will deduct $1 in benefits for each $3 you earn above a different limit. For 2009, this limit is $37,680.

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want and still receive all of your Social Security benefits.

To learn more, read our publication How Work Affects Your Benefits available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069.html.

Question: I applied for retirement benefits online; how can I check the status of my application?

Answer: If you applied for benefits online, the most convenient way to check is … online! Just use the confirmation number you received when you finished your application and go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. There, you can return as often as you'd like to check the status of your application.

For specific Social Security questions, call Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.