how much money can i earn before i have to pay taxes
For single filers the threshold is $25,000. For example, if you file as single and your annual benefit is $15,000, half of your benefit amount is $7,500. You you can earn up to $17,500 in additional income before you hit the $25,000 mark and have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits.
You can start receiving benefits as early as age 62. However, if you earn more than an annual amount set by the Social Security Administration, your benefit amount is lowered by one dollar for every two dollars you make over the annual limit. As of 2012 this earnings limit was $14,640.