Submitted By: Janice
Answered: July 8, 2014 8:30 am

Are wages earned by someone who is age 65 or older tax free?

Earned income remains taxable regardless of age. Similarly, such income continues to be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA for an employee; self-employment tax for a self-employed person). The one age-related break: once a worker reaches the full retirement age (currently 66), then he/she can have any amount of earned income without a reduction or complete loss of Social Security benefits.

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Tax Glossary

Tax deferral

Shifting income to a later year, such as where you defer taxable interest to the following year by purchasing a T-bill or savings certificate maturing after the end of the current year. Investments in qualified retirement plans provide tax deferral.

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