# 40% of America's Farmland Could Change Hands, Ag REIT Says. Cash Rent May Spare His Social Security, but Crop-Sharing Can Change the Rules

Canonical page: https://sequoia-research.com/news/40-of-america-s-farmland-could-change-hands-ag-reit-says-cash-rent-may-spare-his-soci-8fb65228

Author: Sequoia Research
Published: 2026-10-23T09:22:59.737Z
Updated: 2026-10-24T04:38:11.309Z
Original source: [24/7 Wall St.](https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/social-security/2026/10/23/40-of-americas-farmland-could-change-hands-ag-reit-says-cash-rent-may-spare-his-social-security-but-crop-sharing-can-change-the-rules/)
Source published: 2026-10-23T09:00:00.000Z
Type: News
Topics: REITs

24/7 Wall St examines how farm leasing can affect Social Security retirement benefits, citing Amber Farmland Investments' estimate that roughly 40% of U.S. farmland could change hands within 15 years. Its hypothetical landowner is 64 and already receiving benefits. Ordinary passive rent generally does not count toward the earnings test, but farm income can count when the arrangement requires material participation and the owner actually participates.

The article's example uses $30,000 in countable net farm earnings and the 2026 annual limit of $24,480, producing $2,760 in potential benefit withholding. That calculation assumes the owner remains below full retirement age throughout the year, has no other work income and is not covered by the special first-year rule. It concerns benefit withholding, not exemption from income tax.

[Read the original](https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/social-security/2026/10/23/40-of-americas-farmland-could-change-hands-ag-reit-says-cash-rent-may-spare-his-social-security-but-crop-sharing-can-change-the-rules/)

## Research considerations

REIT news can cover acquisitions, operating results, distributions, capital raising, and liquidity. Publicly traded and nontraded structures can have different reporting and liquidity arrangements. Identify the actual vehicle before comparing an announcement with other investments.

- Which REIT or portfolio is covered, and what period does the announcement describe?
- How do the reported figures relate to debt, operating performance, distribution coverage, and liquidity?

This Sequoia Research summary was prepared with AI assistance from the credited source. It is not independent verification of the source’s claims. The original publisher retains authorship of its reporting; follow the source link for the complete article.

## About Sequoia Research

Sequoia Research, LLC is an independent real estate investment research firm providing analysis of Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), Tenant in Common (TIC) investments, Opportunity Zone Funds, and mineral rights and royalties.

Explore our reports for property and sponsor analysis, financial assumptions, risks, and comparison scorecards. News inclusion does not imply that a report on the particular investment is available.

[Investment research library](https://sequoia-research.com/sequoia-all-1031.html)
[Brokerage research](https://sequoia-research.com/sequoia-1031-dst-broker-rankings.html)
[Coverage policy](https://sequoia-research.com/news/about)
[Research disclosures and terms](https://sequoia-research.com/terms.html)