What Is the Social Security First Year of Retirement Rule?

Earning income in retirement can reduce your Social Security, but income earned before retirement doesn't count.

Updated Oct 31, 2023 7:58 p.m. PDT · 3 min read Written by Kurt Woock Lead Writer

Kurt Woock
Lead Writer

Kurt Woock started writing for NerdWallet in 2021. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Kurt was a writer and educator for Colorado PERA, a retirement system for public employees. Before that he was a legislative editor for the Colorado General Assembly. Kurt has a B.A. in music from Valparaiso University and an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He lives in Detroit.

Assistant Assigning Editor

Tina Orem
Assistant Assigning Editor | Taxes, small business, Social Security and estate planning, home services

Tina Orem is an editor at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.