Under current US Social Security rules, wages earned from public sector jobs that do not contribute to Social Security (such as some teaching or firefighting positions) still count towards the retirement earnings test for individuals claiming benefits before their full retirement age. For 2026, early claimers earning above $24,480 will have $1 in benefits withheld for every $2 earned over this limit. This rule remains in effect even after the Social Security Fairness Act repealed pension offsets like the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, as the earnings test itself was left intact.