Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA) requires that parents and students be involved in all aspects of the transition planning and decision-making process, and most teachers recognize that this involvement is vital to success. To fully participate effectively, students and their family members need to become familiar not only with the transition requirements of IDEA, but also the host of new community service providers who may directly or indirectly provide support as students move from school to the realization of adult goals. Many school programs across the country do an outstanding job planning for this ultimate transition from school, yet there is one area that continues to be overlooked: planning for Social Security benefits. Social Security benefits are a valuable resource to eligible students as they transition from school to adult life. In addition to providing cash payments and/or health benefits, Social Security benefits also include numerous work incentives and exclusions specifically designed to increase an individual's employment and earning capacity. However, failure to focus on Social Security benefits during transition can cause real harm when students and their family members are not aware of the effects of earnings on cash benefits and medical insurance. This article provides a basic understanding of how work will affect a student's benefits. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)