Social Security made changes to how it handles work and earnings in August, affecting what you can earn while receiving benefits

The Social Security Administration updates its rules and payment amounts regularly, and August changes typically involve the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement or shifts in how work earnings affect your benefits. The specific rule that changed in August depends on the year — SSA does not make all changes at once, and some take effect in January while others roll out mid-year. To find out what changed in the August you're asking about, you need to check the SSA's official announcements or contact them directly, because the details shift year to year.

This guide explains how to find the actual August rule change that affects you, what the most common August updates are, and what to do if a change impacts your benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security announces rule changes on its official website (ssa.gov) and in the Federal Register, not through email or third-party sites.
  • The most frequent August changes involve the annual earnings limit for people who work while receiving early retirement benefits.
  • If you receive benefits and work, you must report your earnings to SSA or risk an overpayment that you'll have to repay.
  • Changes to rules do not happen automatically — you may need to contact SSA to understand how a new rule affects your specific situation.
  • Scams often use "new rule" language to pressure people into sharing personal information, so verify any announcement directly with SSA before responding.

Where to find the official August rule change

The Social Security Administration publishes rule changes on ssa.gov under the "What's New" section and in the Federal Register, which is the government's official journal of new rules. If you received a notice in the mail from SSA with your name on it, that notice applies to your account specifically. If you saw something online or heard about a change from someone else, verify it by going directly to ssa.gov or calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213 before you act on it.

Do not rely on emails, text messages, or social media posts about SSA rule changes. Scammers regularly impersonate SSA and use phrases like "new rule" or "urgent change" to trick people into calling a fake number or entering personal information on a fake website. If you're unsure whether a message is real, hang up and call the official SSA number yourself.

The most common August changes: earnings limits and COLA

Two types of changes happen regularly in August. The first is the annual earnings limit, which affects people who are younger than full retirement age and receiving early retirement benefits. If you work and earn more than the limit, SSA withholds $1 from your benefits for every $2 you earn above that amount. The earnings limit changes each year, and SSA announces the new amount in October or November for the following year — but some years the announcement or implementation happens in August instead.

The second common August change involves the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which is the percentage increase to all benefit payments. COLA is usually announced in October and takes effect in January, but SSA sometimes releases preliminary information or makes related rule adjustments in August. The COLA amount depends on inflation and changes every year; there is no fixed percentage.

If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rather than retirement or disability benefits, the rules that affect you may be different. SSI has its own earnings exclusions and resource limits, which SSA updates separately.

How a rule change affects your benefits

If a rule change applies to you, it usually means one of three things: the amount you receive changes, the way you report information changes, or the rules about work and earnings change. For example, if the earnings limit went up, you can now earn more money before SSA withholds benefits. If the earnings limit went down, you may owe back benefits if you earned more than the new limit.

SSA sends notices to people whose benefits are directly affected by a rule change. Read any notice you receive carefully and keep it. If you do not understand what it means for you, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and have the notice in front of you when you call. Do not ignore a notice or assume it does not explore to you — overpayments happen when people miss notices and continue earning or reporting income the old way.

What to do if you work and receive benefits

If you receive early retirement benefits (before full retirement age) and you work, you must report your earnings to SSA. The way you report and the earnings limit that applies depend on your age and the type of benefit you receive. If a rule changed in August, it may have changed how much you can earn or how you report it.

Report your earnings honestly and on time. If you earn more than the limit and do not report it, SSA will discover the overpayment during a review and you will have to repay the money. Repayment can happen through benefit withholding (SSA takes money from future payments) or a lump sum, depending on the amount owed and your situation.

How to contact SSA about an August rule change

Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing). Have your Social Security number ready. You can also visit your local SSA office in person — find the address on ssa.gov by entering your zip code. Wait times are often shorter in person than by phone, especially early in the morning.

If you use a representative or attorney to handle your SSA matters, contact them first. They may already know about the August change and how it affects you. If you do not have a representative but think you might need one to understand a complex change, SSA can refer you to legal aid organizations in your area.

Protecting yourself from scams about "new rules"

Scammers use "new rule" language because it creates urgency and makes people less likely to question what they're told. A real SSA notice will come in the mail with your name and address on it, or you can see it in your my Social Security account online (after you create a login). A real SSA employee will never ask for your password, bank account number, or full Social Security number over the phone unless you called them first.

If someone contacts you claiming there is a new SSA rule and asking you to confirm personal information, hang up and call SSA directly at the official number. If you think you've been contacted by a scammer, report it to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or call 1-800-269-0271.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if an August rule change applies to me?

SSA sends a notice in the mail to people whose benefits are directly affected by a rule change. If you received a notice with your name on it, the change applies to you. If you did not receive a notice but heard about a change, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether it affects your account. Do not assume a change does not explore to you — some changes affect only certain age groups or benefit types.

What happens if I earn more than the new earnings limit?

If you receive early retirement benefits and earn more than the annual earnings limit, SSA withholds $1 from your benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. The withheld amount is not lost — it is credited back to you when you reach full retirement age, which increases your future monthly payment. Report your earnings to SSA to avoid an overpayment.

Can I get back pay if a rule change increased my benefits?

If a rule change increased your benefit amount, SSA will adjust your payments going forward. Back pay depends on when the change took effect and when SSA processed it. Contact SSA to ask whether you are owed back pay for months before the change was applied to your account.

What if I disagree with how a rule change affects me?

You have the right to appeal any SSA decision. Request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving the notice that explains the change. SSA will review your case and send you a decision. If you disagree with the appeal decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Is there a way to get a summary of all August changes in one place?

SSA publishes a summary of rule changes and updates on ssa.gov under "What's New" and in press releases. The Federal Register (federalregister.gov) also lists all official rule changes. These sources are more reliable than news articles or social media posts, which sometimes misinterpret or oversimplify what changed.