Automatic increases
Substantial gainful activity
Wage-indexed amounts
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Earnings trigger a trial work period
During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving
Social Security disability benefits may test his or her ability to work and
still be considered disabled. We do not consider services performed during
the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until
services have been performed in at least 9 months (not necessarily
consecutive) in a rolling 60-month period. In 2008, any month
in which earnings exceed $670 is considered a month
of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2009,
this monthly amount increases to $700.
Monthly earnings that trigger a trial work period
Year |
Monthly earnings |
1978 & prior | $50 |
1979-1989 | 75 |
1990-2000 | 200 |
2001 | 530 |
2002 | 560 |
2003 | 570 |
2004 | 580 |
2005 | 590 |
2006 | 620 |
2007 | 640 |
2008 | 670 |
2009 | 700 |
For more information, please see section 404.1592 of the
Code of Federal Regulations.
Method used to determine earnings that trigger a trial work period
Monthly earnings in 2009, used to determine whether
a month is part of a trial work period, is such
amount for 2001 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index
for 2007 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such amount
for 2008 ($670). If the amount
so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple
of $10. Below are details on how we determined the latest amount.
Calculation details
Amounts in formula |
2001 monthly earnings | $530 |
1999 average wage index | $30,469.84 |
2007 average wage index | $40,405.48 |
Computation | $530 times ($40,405.48 divided
by $30,469.84) equals $702.82, which rounds to
$700. |
Higher amount | $700
exceeds $670, so the amount for 2009
is $700 |
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