U.S. · Benefits
SSI student earned income exclusion.
Under 22 and in school: earnings that do not count against SSI.
In 2026 the student earned income exclusion removes up to $2,410 of earnings a month, to a maximum of $9,730 a year, from the income SSA counts for a person under age 22 who is regularly attending school. SSA applies it before any other exclusion, and whatever earnings are left still get the usual $65 and one-half treatment.
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Result
The 2026 limits and how they change
| Period | Monthly limit | Yearly limit |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | $2,290 | $9,230 |
| January 2025 | $2,350 | $9,460 |
| January 2026 | $2,410 | $9,730 |
SSA adjusts both amounts each year based on the cost-of-living index. The 2024 and 2025 rows come from SSA’s Spotlight on the exclusion; the 2026 row comes from SSA’s 2026 edition of the SSI income chapter. We have not found a published 2027 amount, so none is shown.
Who counts as regularly attending school
SSA’s definition is a person who takes one or more courses of study and attends classes in a college or university at least 8 hours a week under a semester or quarter system; in grades 7 to 12, at least 12 hours a week; in a training course that prepares for employment, at least 12 hours a week (15 if the course involves shop practice); or in a home school setting for grades 7 to 12, at least 12 hours a week under the state’s home school law. A person can also qualify with less time for reasons beyond their control, such as illness. A person who is homebound because of a disability can be a student when studying a course given by a school, college, university or government agency and a home visitor or tutor from the school directs the studying.
Worked example from SSA, updated to the 2026 limits
SSA’s example has a student who earns the full monthly limit in June, July and August, then returns to school and earns $900 a month in September through December. Using the 2025 amounts SSA printed ($2,350 monthly, $9,460 yearly), the student excludes $2,350 in each of the three summer months ($7,050), then $900 in September and $900 in October, which totals $8,850. Only $610 of the yearly limit is left, so $610 of November earnings is excluded and the rest of the November wages is subject to the ordinary $20, $65 and one-half rules. Enter any month and the amount already excluded in the tool above to see the same arithmetic with the 2026 limits.
What comes after the exclusion
The exclusion is only the first step. Earnings above the limit, or earnings in a month after the yearly limit is spent, are treated like anyone else’s: the first $65 and half of the rest are not counted. See the SSI countable income calculator for that formula. The exclusion is separate from the SSDI substantial gainful activity limit shown on our SSDI limit page.
Sources
- Understanding Supplemental Security Income, SSI Income (2026 Edition): Earnings up to $2,410 per month to a maximum of $9,730 per year effective January 2026 for a student under age 22. Read through an Internet Archive copy of the SSA page. Read November 2, 2026.
- SSI Spotlight on Student Earned Income Exclusion (2025 Edition): Definition of regularly attending school, the 2024 and 2025 amounts and SSA’s worked example. Read through an Internet Archive copy of the SSA page; the 2026 edition was not readable. Read November 2, 2026.
- 20 CFR 416.1112, Earned income we do not count: The regulation that excludes a student’s earned income. Read November 2, 2026.
The 2026 limits are as printed in SSA’s 2026 edition. Rules text is from SSA’s 2025 Spotlight edition and eCFR.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a student earn without losing SSI in 2026?
The student earned income exclusion is $2,410 a month, up to $9,730 for the year, in 2026. Earnings over that are not automatically disqualifying, because the $65 and one-half exclusion still applies to the rest.
Who qualifies for the student earned income exclusion?
A person under age 22 who is regularly attending school. For a college student SSA defines that as at least 8 hours of classes a week under a semester or quarter system.
Does the exclusion apply before other income exclusions?
Yes. SSA says it applies this exclusion before any other exclusion, and the $65 and one-half rule is then applied to any earnings that remain.
Does the exclusion apply to unearned income such as gifts?
No. It applies to earnings only. Unearned income is handled with the $20 general exclusion and the other rules.
Do the limits change every year?
Yes. SSA usually adjusts the monthly amount and the yearly limit each year based on the cost-of-living index. The amounts were $2,290 and $9,230 in 2024, $2,350 and $9,460 in 2025, and $2,410 and $9,730 in 2026.
Not benefits or legal advice
This page summarizes published government information and is an estimate, not legal or benefits advice. The Social Security Administration makes the official determination. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.