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Jobs with specific earnings rules

The more you earn and pay Social Security taxes (FICA), the higher your benefit. Your earnings are tracked and count toward your benefit amount. Some jobs have special rules that affect how your earnings are counted, which can impact your amount.

Make sure your yearly earnings record is up to date so you get the right benefits.

Jobs with earnings that may be counted differently

We no longer reduce your benefits because of pensions from jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security. Learn more about this change.

Your military pension won’t reduce your Social Security benefits. You’ll get the full amount based on your earnings.


If you served in the military between 1957 and 2001, you may earn extra credits for active duty. These credits can increase your Social Security benefits.


Social Security Survivor benefits might reduce what you get from the Department of Defense Survivors Benefit Plan.

If you qualify for a railroad pension, your railroad earnings won’t count toward Social Security. If you don’t qualify, your railroad earnings will count toward Social Security. 

Railroad earnings before 1973 won’t show on your Social Security Statement, but they’re still used to calculate your benefits. Contact the Railroad Retirement Board for more information at (877) 772-5772.

If you’ve worked in the United States and other countries, you may need to pay Social Security taxes in each one. 

The U.S. has agreements with some countries to help workers qualify for benefits:

  • If you’ve worked in the U.S. but don’t have enough work credits, we may combine your work credits from another country to help you qualify.
  • If you have enough credits in one country outside the U.S. but not the other, they won’t be combined. You'll only get benefits from the country where you qualify.
  • If you qualify for benefits in multiple countries, you can apply in each one.

Jobs where you should make sure income is reported

To be sure we count your earnings, you must file and pay taxes on your net income (total earnings minus business expenses). Even if you owe no income tax, your earnings won’t be counted for Social Security benefits unless you file.

Your earnings will count toward Social Security if your employer: 

  • Pays you at least $150 in cash, or
  • Reports at least $2,500 in total labor expenses for the farm.

If you’re a seasonal worker, your earnings will count toward Social Security if you earn $150 or more in cash and work less than 13 weeks per year.

If you earn $2,800 or more in cash wages from one employer in 2025, that employer must report your earnings. If you earn less than that or are under age 18, your wages won’t be reported or count toward Social Security.

You must pay Social Security taxes on your earnings. Some religious groups don’t participate in Social Security, but you still need to report your earnings and pay any federal income taxes.