Trial Work Period

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 2011, any month in which earnings exceed $720 is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period. In 2012, this monthly amount remains at $720.

Method used to determine earnings that trigger a trial work period
Monthly earnings in 2012, 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 2010 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such amount for 2011 ($720). 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.