SSI pay may be reduced if benefits are claimed before the full retirement age. Social security benefits are intended to replace earned income lost as a result of retirement. The benefits may be decreased if the recipient continues to receive money from another source such as a job while collecting social security. There are laws governing how much money can be earned before SSI pay reductions are put in place. As much as one dollar of social security earnings will be taken for every two dollars earned over the earnings cap. When reaching the age of 70, SSI recipients can earn as much as they want though income taxes could, in effect, wipe out the benefits of receiving social security income. Beneficiaries at age 70 no longer have to worry about a reduction in monthly benefits.