For US tribal casino employees, wages reported on a W-2 form are considered earned income and count towards the retirement earnings test, potentially affecting early retirement benefits. However, per-capita tribal gaming revenue distributions, reported on a 1099-MISC form, are treated as unearned income for retirement benefit purposes. While these distributions do not affect Social Security retirement benefits, they are considered unearned income for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in the month received, which can lead to a reduction or suspension of SSI payments.