Q. I am planning on retiring next year under FERS with 34 years at age 56 (my minimum retirement age). I understand that I could earn $14,460 without affecting the special retirement supplement. What is calculated into this $14,460 earnings limit? Are the FERS retirement payments included in this earnings limit? Are my wife’s wages included in this earnings limit? (She will still be working, and not retired.) Is income extracted from my Thrift Savings Plan account included in this earning limit? Are any annuity payments that I buy from my TSP included in this earnings limit? Are my IRA distributions (after age 59½) included in this earnings limit?
A. The Social Security test only applies to your earnings from wages and self-employment, no other sources of income. The limit in 2013 is $15,120.
