Some people stop working completely the moment they retire. But it’s not unheard of for retirees to hold down a part-time job or start a business. And there can be perks to doing so. For starters, the extra money isn’t a bad thing.

If you want to do your own calculations, you can check your estimated benefit at different ages with your Social Security Administration account.

In May 2025, the average Social Security check reached a historic $2,002, marking the first time it has surpassed the $2,000 threshold.