The Employment Effects of the Social Security Earnings Test

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Year: 2022
Volume: 57
Issue: 2

Authors (4)

Alexander Gelber (not in RePEc) Damon Jones (University of Chicago) Daniel W. Sacks (not in RePEc) Jae Song (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We investigate the impact of the Social Security annual earnings test (AET) on the employment decisions of older Americans. The AET reduces Social Security benefits by one dollar for every two dollars earned above the exempt amount. Using a differences-in-differences design, we find that the employment rate of those predicted to become subject to the AET decreases substantially relative to those not predicted to become subject to it. The point estimates suggest that the AET reduces the employment rate of Americans aged 63-64 by at least 1.2 percentage points.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:uwp:jhriss:v:57:y:2022:i:2:p:341-371
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25