1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Social Security Retirement Earnings Test (RET): Earnings Exemption for COVID-19-Related Work Response Updated September 28, 2020 In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, some state and local officia
2、ls (e.g., New York State) have called on retired health care workers to return to work and help treat the influx of patients. In addition to health care professionals, other retired workersincluding certain public safety officers, emergency management personnel, scientists, researchers, and individu
3、alswho had claimed Social Security benefits, may also go back to work to meet the essential needs of the American public during the COVID-19 outbreak. If those retired workers are receiving Social Security benefits and are under the Social Security full retirement age (FRA; between 65 and 67, depend
4、ing on year of birth), the Retirement Earnings Test (RET) may reduce their Social Security benefits if their earnings exceed certain annual thresholds. (Beneficiaries do recoup their benefits when they reach FRA.) Therefore, in response to RET concerns that may discourage retired health care workers
