Social Security + Part-Time Income Scenarios to Retire or Semi Retire?

A rough planning tool for 'war-gaming' an early-claim on Social Security benefits (early retirement / semi-retirement), but with considering part-time work. Numbers are approximate and for personal thinking, and not for public tax advice.

Interactive Scenario Calculator

Adjust the inputs to estimate combined income, SS tax zone, earnings test impact, and margin vs. monthly burn rate.

My Part-Time Income ($/year):

Spousal Pension ($/year):

Spousal SSA Benefit ($/year):

My SSA Benefit ($/year):

Monthly Burn Rate (budget as $/month):

Filing Status:

Important Note: This tool estimates federal Social Security taxation only. State tax rules vary and are not included here. Kansas is assumed for all scenarios.

Baseline Assumptions (examples)

Social Security Benefit: $31,200 / year (~$2,600 / month)
Spouse's Pension: $1,440 / year
Half of SS for IRS formula (to calculate income tax): $15,600
Burn Rate (budgeted spending target): $24,000 / year (~$2,000 / month)
Filing Status: Single
State: Kansas (no tax on SS if under $75,000 AGI)

Part-time Income Comparison Scenarios

Scenario	Part-time income	Combined income (PT + pension + ½ SS)	SS tax zone	Earnings test (IRS "grab-back") impact	Very rough tax impact	Margin vs. burn rate (before tax)
A	$9,000	$26,040	Up to 50% taxable	None (it's under earnings limit)	Low – modest federal tax; KS does not tax SS.	Comfortable: income > spending with small cushion.
B	$12,000	$29,040	Up to 50% taxable	None (it's under earnings limit)	Low–moderate – more SS taxable, still in lower brackets.	Good cushion above burn rate.
C	$18,000	$35,040	Up to 85% taxable	None (it's under earnings limit)	Moderate – more income taxed, but still not high-bracket territory.	Strong margin; savings become true backup.
D	$22,000	$39,040	Up to 85% taxable	None (hovering near earnings limit)	Moderate – higher taxable base, but still manageable overall.	Excellent margin; room for savings and surprises.

Reading the 'Part-time Income Comparison Scenarios' table

The key levers are:

Combined income: drives how much of Social Security is taxable.
Earnings test: only matters before full retirement age; these scenarios above stay under the usual limit.
Margin vs. burn rate: how much room there is between income and the ~$24,000 spending target.

DISCLAIMER: All numbers are approximate and rounded. For real decisions, plug the same scenarios into current IRS worksheets or tax software to get precise tax amounts.