When Social Security checks of any loans or benefit? Why, when it is "too much" Income, of course. In today's economy, many senior citizens still work during "retirement" either because they want or, all too often, because they have to make ends meet. Retirees who want to work and collect Social Security benefits have been carefully designed compensation if they do not want to lose some or all of their Social Security benefits. In order to collect social security, "retirement" benefits, you have "retired". Congress has reasoned that, if you earn more than a certain amount, you are "retired", and therefore belong to some or all of the benefits are eliminated. Congress will not allow some of the revenue before the benefits are at risk.