7 Part-Time Jobs at Golf Courses and Country Clubs for Retirees

Navigating Social Security and Taxes on Golf Earnings

Before taking a part-time golf course job, you must consider how your new earned income interacts with your Social Security benefits and overall tax bracket. If you claim Social Security retirement benefits before reaching your Full Retirement Age (FRA)—which ranges from age 66 to 67 depending on your birth year—your wages are subject to the Social Security Earnings Test.

According to the official guidelines from the Social Security Administration, early retirees can earn up to $24,480 per year ($2,040 per month) in 2026 without losing any benefit payments. If your earnings exceed this threshold, the SSA temporarily withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the limit. In the calendar year you reach your Full Retirement Age, a higher earnings limit of $65,160 applies, with $1 withheld for every $3 earned above the cap prior to your birthday month. Once you reach your exact FRA, earnings limits disappear entirely, allowing you to earn unlimited income without reducing your monthly checks.

You must also plan for payroll taxes and tip reporting. W-2 wages from a golf facility are subject to standard federal, state, and FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare). If you work in a tip-eligible role like beverage cart driver or cart barn attendant, the Internal Revenue Service requires you to keep an accurate daily log of all cash and credit card tips and report them to your employer for tax withholding purposes.