Office of the Commissioner; Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2006, 61677-61683 [05-21272]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
with respect to the proposed rule
change that are filed with the
Commission, and all written
communications relating to the
proposed rule change between the
Commission and any person, other than
those that may be withheld from the
public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
available for inspection and copying in
the Commission’s Public Reference
Room. Copies of such filing also will be
available for inspection and copying at
the principal office of the PCX. All
comments received will be posted
without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying
information from submissions. You
should submit only information that
you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File
Number SR–PCX–2005–111 and should
be submitted on or before November 15,
2005.
IV. Commission’s Findings and Order
Granting Accelerated Approval of a
Proposed Rule Change
After careful consideration, the
Commission finds that the proposed
rule change is consistent with the Act
and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to a national
securities exchange.15 In particular, the
Commission believes that the proposal
is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the
Act,16 which requires that the rules of
an exchange provide for the equitable
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
other charges among its members and
issuers and other persons using its
facilities. National securities exchanges
obtain funds to pay their Section 31 fees
to the Commission by charging fees to
broker-dealers who generate the covered
sales on which Section 31 fees are
based. An exchange can obtain most of
these funds by imposing a fee on one of
its members whenever the member is on
the sell side of a transaction. However,
when the exchange accepts an ITS
commitment to buy, the ultimate seller
is a party on another market. The
exchange lacks the ability to pass a fee
to that seller directly, because the seller
may not be a member of the exchange.
Under the proposed arrangement, which
the Commission understands will be
adopted by each of the ITS participant
exchanges,17 the exchange that routed
15 In approving this proposal, the Commission has
considered its impact on efficiency, competition,
and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
17 See letter from George W. Mann, Jr., Executive
Vice President and General Counsel, BSE, and
Chairman, Subcommittee, to Michael Gaw,
Assistant Director, Division, Commission, dated
September 29, 2005.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
the ITS commitment away will continue
to collect a fee from the broker-dealer
that placed the sell order. Then, with
respect to each ITS participant
exchange, the exchange will determine
whether it is a net sender or net receiver
of ITS trades and send fees to or accept
fees from each other exchange
accordingly. The Commission believes
this is an equitable manner for the
exchanges to obtain funds to pay their
Section 31 fees on covered sales
resulting from ITS trades.
Under Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,18
the Commission may not approve any
proposed rule change prior to the
thirtieth day after the date of
publication of the notice of filing
thereof, unless the Commission finds
good cause for so doing. The
Commission hereby finds good cause for
approving the proposed rule change
prior to the thirtieth day after
publishing notice of filing thereof in the
Federal Register. In this case, the
Commission does not believe a
comment period is necessary because all
of the parties affected by the proposed
fee—the other ITS participant
exchanges—have already consented to
and will adopt the same fee
arrangement.19
For the reasons set forth above, the
Commission finds good cause to
accelerate approval of the proposed rule
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of
the Act.20
V. Conclusion
It is therefore ordered, pursuant to
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,21 that the
proposed rule change (SR–PCX–2005–
111) is hereby approved on an
accelerated basis.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated
authority.22
Jonathan G. Katz,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5–5891 Filed 10–24–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010–01–P
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Office of the Commissioner; Cost-ofLiving Increase and Other
Determinations for 2006
Social Security Administration.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Commissioner has
determined—
18 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
supra note 17.
19 See
20 Id.
21 Id.
22 17
PO 00000
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61677
(1) A 4.1 percent cost-of-living
increase in Social Security benefits
under title II of the Social Security Act
(the Act), effective for December 2005;
(2) An increase in the Federal
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
monthly benefit amounts under title
XVI of the Act for 2006 to $603 for an
eligible individual, $904 for an eligible
individual with an eligible spouse, and
$302 for an essential person;
(3) The student earned income
exclusion to be $1,460 per month in
2006 but not more than $5,910 in all of
2006;
(4) The dollar fee limit for services
performed as a representative payee to
be $33 per month ($64 per month in the
case of a beneficiary who is disabled
and has an alcoholism or drug addiction
condition that leaves him or her
incapable of managing benefits) in 2006;
(5) The national average wage index
for 2004 to be $35,648.55;
(6) The Old-Age, Survivors, and
Disability Insurance (OASDI)
contribution and benefit base to be
$94,200 for remuneration paid in 2006
and self-employment income earned in
taxable years beginning in 2006;
(7) The monthly exempt amounts
under the Social Security retirement
earnings test for taxable years ending in
calendar year 2006 to be $1,040 and
$2,770;
(8) The dollar amounts (‘‘bend
points’’) used in the primary insurance
amount benefit formula for workers who
become eligible for benefits, or who die
before becoming eligible, in 2006 to be
$656 and $3,955;
(9) The dollar amounts (‘‘bend
points’’) used in the formula for
computing maximum family benefits for
workers who become eligible for
benefits, or who die before becoming
eligible, in 2006 to be $838, $1,210, and
$1,578;
(10) The amount of taxable earnings a
person must have to be credited with a
quarter of coverage in 2006 to be $970;
(11) The ‘‘old-law’’ contribution and
benefit base to be $69,900 for 2006;
(12) The monthly amount deemed to
constitute substantial gainful activity for
statutorily blind individuals in 2006 to
be $1,450, and the corresponding
amount for non-blind disabled persons
to be $860;
(13) The earnings threshold
establishing a month as a part of a trial
work period to be $620 for 2006; and
(14) Coverage thresholds for 2006 to
be $1,500 for domestic workers and
$1,300 for election workers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey L. Kunkel, Office of the Chief
Actuary, Social Security
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
61678
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
Administration, 6401 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, (410)
965–3013. Information relating to this
announcement is available on our
Internet site at https://
www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/
index.html. For information on
eligibility or claiming benefits, call 1–
800–772–1213 or TTY 1–800–325–0778,
or visit our Internet site, Social Security
Online, at https://
www.socialsecurity.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Act, the
Commissioner must publish within 45
days after the close of the third calendar
quarter of 2005 the benefit increase
percentage and the revised table of
‘‘special minimum’’ benefits (section
215(i)(2)(D)). Also, the Commissioner
must publish on or before November 1
the national average wage index for
2004 (section 215(a)(1)(D)), the OASDI
fund ratio for 2005 (section
215(i)(2)(C)(ii)), the OASDI contribution
and benefit base for 2006 (section
230(a)), the amount of earnings required
to be credited with a quarter of coverage
in 2006 (section 213(d)(2)), the monthly
exempt amounts under the Social
Security retirement earnings test for
2006 (section 203(f)(8)(A)), the formula
for computing a primary insurance
amount for workers who first become
eligible for benefits or die in 2006
(section 215(a)(1)(D)), and the formula
for computing the maximum amount of
benefits payable to the family of a
worker who first becomes eligible for
old-age benefits or dies in 2006 (section
203(a)(2)(C)).
Cost-of-Living Increases
General
The next cost-of-living increase, or
automatic benefit increase, is 4.1
percent for benefits under titles II and
XVI of the Act. Under title II, OASDI
benefits will increase by 4.1 percent for
individuals eligible for December 2005
benefits, payable in January 2006. This
increase is based on the authority
contained in section 215(i) of the Act
(42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
Under title XVI, Federal SSI payment
levels will also increase by 4.1 percent
effective for payments made for the
month of January 2006 but paid on
December 30, 2005. This is based on the
authority contained in section 1617 of
the Act (42 U.S.C. 1382f).
Automatic Benefit Increase
Computation
Under section 215(i) of the Act, the
third calendar quarter of 2005 is a costof-living computation quarter for all the
purposes of the Act. The Commissioner
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
is, therefore, required to increase
benefits, effective for December 2005,
for individuals entitled under section
227 or 228 of the Act, to increase
primary insurance amounts of all other
individuals entitled under title II of the
Act, and to increase maximum benefits
payable to a family. For December 2005,
the benefit increase is the percentage
increase in the Consumer Price Index
for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers from the third quarter of 2004
to the third quarter of 2005.
Section 215(i)(1) of the Act provides
that the Consumer Price Index for a
cost-of-living computation quarter shall
be the arithmetic mean of this index for
the 3 months in that quarter. We round
the arithmetic mean, if necessary, to the
nearest 0.1. The Department of Labor’s
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers for each
month in the quarter ending September
30, 2004, is: for July 2004, 184.9; for
August 2004, 185.0; and for September
2004, 185.4. The arithmetic mean for
this calendar quarter is 185.1. The
corresponding Consumer Price Index for
each month in the quarter ending
September 30, 2005, is: for July 2005,
191.0; for August 2005, 192.1; and for
September 2005, 195.0. The arithmetic
mean for this calendar quarter is 192.7.
Thus, because the Consumer Price Index
for the calendar quarter ending
September 30, 2005, exceeds that for the
calendar quarter ending September 30,
2004 by 4.1 percent (rounded to the
nearest 0.1), a cost-of-living benefit
increase of 4.1 percent is effective for
benefits under title II of the Act
beginning December 2005.
Section 215(i) also specifies that an
automatic benefit increase under title II,
effective for December of any year, will
be limited to the increase in the national
average wage index for the prior year if
the ‘‘OASDI fund ratio’’ for that year is
below 20.0 percent. The OASDI fund
ratio for a year is the ratio of the
combined assets of the Old-Age and
Survivors Insurance and Disability
Insurance Trust Funds at the beginning
of that year to the combined
expenditures of these funds during that
year. (The expenditures in the ratio’s
denominator exclude transfer payments
between the two trust funds, and reduce
any transfers to the Railroad Retirement
Account by any transfers from that
account into either trust fund.) For
2005, the OASDI fund ratio is assets of
$1,686,839 million divided by estimated
expenditures of $528,693 million, or
319.1 percent. Because the 319.1percent OASDI fund ratio exceeds 20.0
percent, the automatic benefit increase
for December 2005 is not limited.
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Title II Benefit Amounts
In accordance with section 215(i) of
the Act, in the case of workers and
family members for whom eligibility for
benefits (i.e., the worker’s attainment of
age 62, or disability or death before age
62) occurred before 2006, benefits will
increase by 4.1 percent beginning with
benefits for December 2005 which are
payable in January 2006. In the case of
first eligibility after 2005, the 4.1
percent increase will not apply.
For eligibility after 1978, benefits are
generally determined using a benefit
formula provided by the Social Security
Amendments of 1977 (Pub. L. 95–216),
as described later in this notice.
For eligibility before 1979, we
determine benefits by means of a benefit
table. You may obtain a copy of this
table by writing to: Social Security
Administration, Office of Public
Inquiries, Windsor Park Building, 6401
Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD
21235. The table is also available on the
Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov/
OACT/ProgData/tableForm.html.
Section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act
requires that, when the Commissioner
determines an automatic increase in
Social Security benefits, the
Commissioner will publish in the
Federal Register a revision of the range
of the primary insurance amounts and
corresponding maximum family benefits
based on the dollar amount and other
provisions described in section
215(a)(1)(C)(i). We refer to these benefits
as ‘‘special minimum’’ benefits. These
benefits are payable to certain
individuals with long periods of
relatively low earnings. To qualify for
such benefits, an individual must have
at least 11 ‘‘years of coverage.’’ To earn
a year of coverage for purposes of the
special minimum benefit, a person must
earn at least a certain proportion of the
‘‘old-law’’ contribution and benefit base
(described later in this notice). For years
before 1991, the proportion is 25
percent; for years after 1990, it is 15
percent. In accordance with section
215(a)(1)(C)(i), the table below shows
the revised range of primary insurance
amounts and corresponding maximum
family benefit amounts after the 4.1
percent automatic benefit increase.
SPECIAL MINIMUM PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNTS AND MAXIMUM FAMILY BENEFITS PAYABLE FOR DECEMBER 2005
Number of years
of coverage
11 ......................
12 ......................
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
Primary
insurance
amount
$33.20
67.30
Maximum
family
benefit
$50.40
101.80
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
provision is 75 percent of $603, or
SPECIAL MINIMUM PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNTS AND MAXIMUM FAM- $452.25.
ILY BENEFITS PAYABLE FOR DECEM- Student Earned Income Exclusion
BER 2005—Continued
A blind or disabled child, who is a
Number of years
of coverage
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
......................
Primary
insurance
amount
101.70
135.70
169.60
203.90
238.20
272.40
306.40
340.70
375.00
408.90
443.60
477.70
511.80
546.50
580.20
614.50
648.50
682.70
Maximum
family
benefit
153.10
204.10
255.20
306.80
358.30
409.40
460.70
511.80
563.50
614.60
666.60
717.50
768.20
820.50
871.50
922.60
974.20
1,024.90
Title XVI Benefit Amounts
In accordance with section 1617 of
the Act, maximum SSI Federal benefit
amounts for the aged, blind, and
disabled will increase by 4.1 percent
effective January 2006. For 2005, we
derived the monthly benefit amounts for
an eligible individual, an eligible
individual with an eligible spouse, and
for an essential person—$579, $869, and
$290, respectively—from corresponding
yearly unrounded Federal SSI benefit
amounts of $6,955.39, $10,431.91, and
$3,485.67. For 2006, these yearly
unrounded amounts increase by 4.1
percent to $7,240.56, $10,859.62, and
$3,628.58, respectively. Each of these
resulting amounts must be rounded,
when not a multiple of $12, to the next
lower multiple of $12. Accordingly, the
corresponding annual amounts,
effective for 2006, are $7,236, $10,848,
and $3,624. Dividing the yearly amounts
by 12 gives the corresponding monthly
amounts for 2006—$603, $904, and
$302, respectively. In the case of an
eligible individual with an eligible
spouse, we equally divide the amount
payable between the two spouses.
Title VIII of the Act provides for
special benefits to certain World War II
veterans residing outside the United
States. Section 805 provides that ‘‘[t]he
benefit under this title payable to a
qualified individual for any month shall
be in an amount equal to 75 percent of
the Federal benefit rate [the maximum
amount for an eligible individual] under
title XVI for the month, reduced by the
amount of the qualified individual’s
benefit income for the month.’’ Thus the
monthly benefit for 2006 under this
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
student regularly attending school,
college, or university, or a course of
vocational or technical training, can
have limited earnings that are not
counted against his or her SSI benefits.
The maximum amount of such income
that may be excluded in 2005 is $1,410
per month but not more than $5,670 in
all of 2005. These amounts increase
based on a formula set forth in
regulation 20 CFR 416.1112.
To compute each of the monthly and
yearly maximum amounts for 2006, we
increase the corresponding unrounded
amount for 2005 by the latest cost-ofliving increase. If the amount so
calculated is not a multiple of $10, we
round it to the nearest multiple of $10.
The unrounded monthly amount for
2005 is $1,407.25. We increase this
amount by 4.1 percent to $1,464.95,
which we then round to $1,460.
Similarly, we increase the unrounded
yearly amount for 2005, $5,672.63, by
4.1 percent to $5,905.21 and round this
to $5,910. Thus the maximum amount
of the income exclusion applicable to a
student in 2006 is $1,460 per month but
not more than $5,910 in all of 2006.
Fee for Services Performed as a
Representative Payee
Sections 205(j)(4)(A)(i) and
1631(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Act permit a
qualified organization to collect from an
individual a monthly fee for expenses
incurred in providing services
performed as such individual’s
representative payee. Currently the fee
is limited to the lesser of: (1) 10 percent
of the monthly benefit involved; or (2)
$32 per month ($61 per month in any
case in which the individual is entitled
to disability benefits and the
Commissioner has determined that
payment to the representative payee
would serve the interest of the
individual because the individual has
an alcoholism or drug addiction
condition and is incapable of managing
such benefits). The dollar fee limits are
subject to increase by the automatic
cost-of-living increase, with the
resulting amounts rounded to the
nearest whole dollar amount. Thus we
increase the current amounts by 4.1
percent to $33 and $64 for 2006.
National Average Wage Index for 2004
General
Under various provisions of the Act,
several amounts increase automatically
with annual increases in the national
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61679
average wage index. The amounts are:
(1) The OASDI contribution and benefit
base; (2) the exempt amounts under the
retirement earnings test; (3) the dollar
amounts, or ‘‘bend points,’’ in the
primary insurance amount and
maximum family benefit formulas; (4)
the amount of earnings required for a
worker to be credited with a quarter of
coverage; (5) the ‘‘old-law’’ contribution
and benefit base (as determined under
section 230 of the Act as in effect before
the 1977 amendments); (6) the
substantial gainful activity amount
applicable to statutorily blind
individuals; and (7) the coverage
threshold for election officials and
election workers. Also, section 3121(x)
of the Internal Revenue Code requires
that the domestic employee coverage
threshold be based on changes in the
national average wage index.
In addition to the amounts required
by statute, two amounts increase
automatically under regulatory
requirements. The amounts are (1) the
substantial gainful activity amount
applicable to non-blind disabled
persons, and (2) the monthly earnings
threshold that establishes a month as
part of a trial work period for disabled
beneficiaries.
Computation
The determination of the national
average wage index for calendar year
2004 is based on the 2003 national
average wage index of $34,064.95
announced in the Federal Register on
October 26, 2004 (69 FR 62497), along
with the percentage increase in average
wages from 2003 to 2004 measured by
annual wage data tabulated by the
Social Security Administration (SSA).
The wage data tabulated by SSA include
contributions to deferred compensation
plans, as required by section 209(k) of
the Act. The average amounts of wages
calculated directly from these data were
$32,678.48 and $34,197.63 for 2003 and
2004, respectively. To determine the
national average wage index for 2004 at
a level that is consistent with the
national average wage indexing series
for 1951 through 1977 (published
December 29, 1978, at 43 FR 61016), we
multiply the 2003 national average wage
index of $34,064.95 by the percentage
increase in average wages from 2003 to
2004 (based on SSA-tabulated wage
data) as follows, with the result rounded
to the nearest cent.
Amount
Multiplying the national average wage
index for 2003 ($34,064.95) by the ratio
of the average wage for 2004
($34,197.63) to that for 2003
($32,678.48) produces the 2004 index,
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
61680
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
$35,648.55. The national average wage
index for calendar year 2004 is about
4.65 percent greater than the 2003
index.
OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base
General
The OASDI contribution and benefit
base is $94,200 for remuneration paid in
2006 and self-employment income
earned in taxable years beginning in
2006.
The OASDI contribution and benefit
base serves two purposes:
(a) It is the maximum annual amount
of earnings on which OASDI taxes are
paid. The OASDI tax rate for
remuneration paid in 2006 is 6.2
percent for employees and employers,
each. The OASDI tax rate for selfemployment income earned in taxable
years beginning in 2006 is 12.4 percent.
(The Hospital Insurance tax is due on
remuneration, without limitation, paid
in 2006, at the rate of 1.45 percent for
employees and employers, each, and on
self-employment income earned in
taxable years beginning in 2006, at the
rate of 2.9 percent.)
(b) It is the maximum annual amount
of earnings used in determining a
person’s OASDI benefits.
Computation
Section 230(b) of the Act provides the
formula used to determine the OASDI
contribution and benefit base. Under the
formula, the base for 2006 shall be the
larger of: (1) The 1994 base of $60,600
multiplied by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004 to that for
1992; or (2) the current base ($90,000).
If the resulting amount is not a multiple
of $300, it shall be rounded to the
nearest multiple of $300.
Amount
Multiplying the 1994 OASDI
contribution and benefit base amount
($60,600) by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004 ($35,648.55
as determined above) to that for 1992
($22,935.42) produces the amount of
$94,190.65. We round this amount to
$94,200. Because $94,200 exceeds the
current base amount of $90,000, the
OASDI contribution and benefit base is
$94,200 for 2006.
Retirement Earnings Test Exempt
Amounts
General
We withhold Social Security benefits
when a beneficiary under the normal
retirement age (NRA) has earnings in
excess of the applicable retirement
earnings test exempt amount. (NRA is
the age of initial benefit entitlement for
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
which the benefit, before rounding, is
equal to the worker’s primary insurance
amount. The NRA is age 65 for those
born before 1938, and it gradually
increases to age 67.) A higher exempt
amount applies in the year in which a
person attains his/her NRA, but only
with respect to earnings in months prior
to such attainment, and a lower exempt
amount applies at all other ages below
NRA. Section 203(f)(8)(B) of the Act, as
amended by section 102 of Public Law
104–121, provides formulas for
determining the monthly exempt
amounts. The corresponding annual
exempt amounts are exactly 12 times
the monthly amounts.
For beneficiaries attaining NRA in the
year, we withhold $1 in benefits for
every $3 of earnings in excess of the
annual exempt amount for months prior
to such attainment. For all other
beneficiaries under NRA, we withhold
$1 in benefits for every $2 of earnings
in excess of the annual exempt amount.
Computation
Under the formula applicable to
beneficiaries who are under NRA and
who will not attain NRA in 2006, the
lower monthly exempt amount for 2006
shall be the larger of: (1) The 1994
monthly exempt amount multiplied by
the ratio of the national average wage
index for 2004 to that for 1992; or (2) the
2005 monthly exempt amount ($1,000).
If the resulting amount is not a multiple
of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.
Under the formula applicable to
beneficiaries attaining NRA in 2006, the
higher monthly exempt amount for 2006
shall be the larger of: (1) The 2002
monthly exempt amount multiplied by
the ratio of the national average wage
index for 2004 to that for 2000; or (2) the
2005 monthly exempt amount ($2,650).
If the resulting amount is not a multiple
of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.
Lower Exempt Amount
Multiplying the 1994 retirement
earnings test monthly exempt amount of
$670 by the ratio of the national average
wage index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that
for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces the
amount of $1,041.38. We round this to
$1,040. Because $1,040 is larger than the
corresponding current exempt amount
of $1,000, the lower retirement earnings
test monthly exempt amount is $1,040
for 2006. The corresponding lower
annual exempt amount is $12,480 under
the retirement earnings test.
Higher Exempt Amount
Multiplying the 2002 retirement
earnings test monthly exempt amount of
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
$2,500 by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 2000
($32,154.82) produces the amount of
$2,771.63. We round this to $2,770.
Because $2,770 is larger than the
corresponding current exempt amount
of $2,650, the higher retirement earnings
test monthly exempt amount is $2,770
for 2006. The corresponding higher
annual exempt amount is $33,240 under
the retirement earnings test.
Computing Benefits After 1978
General
The Social Security Amendments of
1977 provided a method for computing
benefits which generally applies when a
worker first becomes eligible for benefits
after 1978. This method uses the
worker’s ‘‘average indexed monthly
earnings’’ to compute the primary
insurance amount. We adjust the
computation formula each year to reflect
changes in general wage levels, as
measured by the national average wage
index.
We also adjust, or ‘‘index,’’ a worker’s
earnings to reflect the change in general
wage levels that occurred during the
worker’s years of employment. Such
indexation ensures that a worker’s
future benefit level will reflect the
general rise in the standard of living that
will occur during his or her working
lifetime. To compute the average
indexed monthly earnings, we first
determine the required number of years
of earnings. Then we select that number
of years with the highest indexed
earnings, add the indexed earnings, and
divide the total amount by the total
number of months in those years. We
then round the resulting average amount
down to the next lower dollar amount.
The result is the average indexed
monthly earnings.
For example, to compute the average
indexed monthly earnings for a worker
attaining age 62, becoming disabled
before age 62, or dying before attaining
age 62, in 2006, we divide the national
average wage index for 2004,
$35,648.55, by the national average
wage index for each year prior to 2004
in which the worker had earnings. Then
we multiply the actual wages and selfemployment income, as defined in
section 211(b) of the Act and credited
for each year, by the corresponding ratio
to obtain the worker’s indexed earnings
for each year before 2004. We consider
any earnings in 2004 or later at face
value, without indexing. We then
compute the average indexed monthly
earnings for determining the worker’s
primary insurance amount for 2006.
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
Computing the Primary Insurance
Amount
The primary insurance amount is the
sum of three separate percentages of
portions of the average indexed monthly
earnings. In 1979 (the first year the
formula was in effect), these portions
were the first $180, the amount between
$180 and $1,085, and the amount over
$1,085. We call the dollar amounts in
the formula governing the portions of
the average indexed monthly earnings
the ‘‘bend points’’ of the formula. Thus,
the bend points for 1979 were $180 and
$1,085.
To obtain the bend points for 2006,
we multiply each of the 1979 bendpoint amounts by the ratio of the
national average wage index for 2004 to
that average for 1977. We then round
these results to the nearest dollar.
Multiplying the 1979 amounts of $180
and $1,085 by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1977 ($9,779.44)
produces the amounts of $656.15 and
$3,955.10. We round these to $656 and
$3,955. Accordingly, the portions of the
average indexed monthly earnings to be
used in 2006 are the first $656, the
amount between $656 and $3,955, and
the amount over $3,955.
Consequently, for individuals who
first become eligible for old-age
insurance benefits or disability
insurance benefits in 2006, or who die
in 2006 before becoming eligible for
benefits, their primary insurance
amount will be the sum of:
(a)
90 percent of the first $656 of their
average indexed monthly earnings,
plus
(b) 32 percent of their average indexed
monthly earnings over $656 and
through $3,955, plus
(c) 15 percent of their average indexed
monthly earnings over $3,955.
We round this amount to the next
lower multiple of $0.10 if it is not
already a multiple of $0.10. This
formula and the rounding adjustment
described above are contained in section
215(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)).
Maximum Benefits Payable to a Family
General
The 1977 amendments continued the
long established policy of limiting the
total monthly benefits that a worker’s
family may receive based on his or her
primary insurance amount. Those
amendments also continued the then
existing relationship between maximum
family benefits and primary insurance
amounts but did change the method of
computing the maximum amount of
benefits that may be paid to a worker’s
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
family. The Social Security Disability
Amendments of 1980 (Pub. L. 96–265)
established a formula for computing the
maximum benefits payable to the family
of a disabled worker. This formula
applies to the family benefits of workers
who first become entitled to disability
insurance benefits after June 30, 1980,
and who first become eligible for these
benefits after 1978. For disabled workers
initially entitled to disability benefits
before July 1980, or whose disability
began before 1979, we compute the
family maximum payable the same as
the old-age and survivor family
maximum.
Computing the Old-Age and Survivor
Family Maximum
The formula used to compute the
family maximum is similar to that used
to compute the primary insurance
amount. It involves computing the sum
of four separate percentages of portions
of the worker’s primary insurance
amount. In 1979, these portions were
the first $230, the amount between $230
and $332, the amount between $332 and
$433, and the amount over $433. We
refer to such dollar amounts in the
formula as the ‘‘bend points’’ of the
family-maximum formula.
To obtain the bend points for 2006,
we multiply each of the 1979 bendpoint amounts by the ratio of the
national average wage index for 2004 to
that average for 1977. Then we round
this amount to the nearest dollar.
Multiplying the amounts of $230, $332,
and $433 by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1977 ($9,779.44)
produces the amounts of $838.41,
$1,210.22, and $1,578.40. We round
these amounts to $838, $1,210, and
$1,578. Accordingly, the portions of the
primary insurance amounts to be used
in 2006 are the first $838, the amount
between $838 and $1,210, the amount
between $1,210 and $1,578, and the
amount over $1,578.
Consequently, for the family of a
worker who becomes age 62 or dies in
2006 before age 62, we will compute the
total amount of benefits payable to them
so that it does not exceed:
(a) 150 percent of the first $838 of the
worker’s primary insurance
amount, plus
(b) 272 percent of the worker’s primary
insurance amount over $838
through $1,210, plus
(c) 134 percent of the worker’s primary
insurance amount over $1,210
through $1,578, plus
(d) 175 percent of the worker’s
primary insurance amount over
$1,578.
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61681
We then round this amount to the
next lower multiple of $0.10 if it is not
already a multiple of $0.10. This
formula and the rounding adjustment
described above are contained in section
203(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 403(a)).
Quarter of Coverage Amount
General
The amount of earnings required for
a quarter of coverage in 2006 is $970. A
quarter of coverage is the basic unit for
determining whether a worker is
insured under the Social Security
program. For years before 1978, we
generally credited an individual with a
quarter of coverage for each quarter in
which wages of $50 or more were paid,
or with 4 quarters of coverage for every
taxable year in which $400 or more of
self-employment income was earned.
Beginning in 1978, employers generally
report wages on an annual basis instead
of a quarterly basis. With the change to
annual reporting, section 352(b) of the
Social Security Amendments of 1977
amended section 213(d) of the Act to
provide that a quarter of coverage would
be credited for each $250 of an
individual’s total wages and selfemployment income for calendar year
1978, up to a maximum of 4 quarters of
coverage for the year.
Computation
Under the prescribed formula, the
quarter of coverage amount for 2006
shall be the larger of: (1) The 1978
amount of $250 multiplied by the ratio
of the national average wage index for
2004 to that for 1976; or (2) the current
amount of $920. Section 213(d) further
provides that if the resulting amount is
not a multiple of $10, it shall be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
Quarter of Coverage Amount
Multiplying the 1978 quarter of
coverage amount ($250) by the ratio of
the national average wage index for
2004 ($35,648.55) to that for 1976
($9,226.48) produces the amount of
$965.93. We then round this amount to
$970. Because $970 exceeds the current
amount of $920, the quarter of coverage
amount is $970 for 2006.
‘‘Old-Law’’ Contribution and Benefit
Base
General
The ‘‘old-law’’ contribution and
benefit base for 2006 is $69,900. This is
the base that would have been effective
under the Act without the enactment of
the 1977 amendments.
The ‘‘old-law’’ contribution and
benefit base is used by:
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
61682
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
Computation
The method used to determine the
new amount is set forth in our
regulations at 20 CFR 404.1592(b).
Monthly earnings in 2006, used to
determine whether a month is part of a
trial work period, is such amount for
2001 ($530) multiplied by the ratio of
the national average wage index for
2004 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such
amount for 2005. If the amount so
calculated is not a multiple of $10, we
round it to the nearest multiple of $10.
(a) The Railroad Retirement program
to determine certain tax liabilities and
tier II benefits payable under that
program to supplement the tier I
payments which correspond to basic
Social Security benefits,
(b) The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation to determine the maximum
amount of pension guaranteed under the
Employee Retirement Income Security
Act (as stated in section 230(d) of the
Social Security Act),
(c) Social Security to determine a year
of coverage in computing the special
minimum benefit, as described earlier,
and
(d) Social Security to determine a year
of coverage (acquired whenever
earnings equal or exceed 25 percent of
the ‘‘old-law’’ base for this purpose
only) in computing benefits for persons
who are also eligible to receive pensions
based on employment not covered
under section 210 of the Act.
Both SGA amounts increase in
accordance with increases in the
national average wage index.
Computation
Multiplying the 1994 monthly SGA
amount for statutorily blind individuals
($930) by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1992
($22,935.42) produces the amount of
$1,445.50. We then round this amount
to $1,450. Because $1,450 is larger than
the current amount of $1,380, the
monthly SGA amount for statutorily
blind individuals is $1,450 for 2006.
Domestic Employee Coverage
Threshold
SGA Amount for Non-Blind Disabled
Individuals
Computation
Under the formula, the domestic
employee coverage threshold amount
for 2006 shall be equal to the 1995
amount of $1,000 multiplied by the ratio
of the national average wage index for
2004 to that for 1993. If the resulting
amount is not a multiple of $100, it
shall be rounded to the next lower
multiple of $100.
The ‘‘old-law’’ contribution and
benefit base shall be the larger of: (1) the
1994 ‘‘old-law’’ base ($45,000)
multiplied by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004 to that for
1992; or (2) the current ‘‘old-law’’ base
($66,900). If the resulting amount is not
a multiple of $300, it shall be rounded
to the nearest multiple of $300.
Amount
Multiplying the 1994 ‘‘old-law’’
contribution and benefit base amount
($45,000) by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1992
($22,935.42) produces the amount of
$69,943.55. We round this amount to
$69,900. Because $69,900 exceeds the
current amount of $66,900, the ‘‘oldlaw’’ contribution and benefit base is
$69,900 for 2006.
Computation
The monthly SGA amount for
statutorily blind individuals under title
II for 2006 shall be the larger of: (1)
Such amount for 1994 multiplied by the
ratio of the national average wage index
for 2004 to that for 1992; or (2) such
amount for 2005. The monthly SGA
amount for non-blind disabled
individuals for 2006 shall be the larger
of: (1) Such amount for 2000 multiplied
by the ratio of the national average wage
index for 2004 to that for 1998; or (2)
such amount for 2005. In either case, if
the resulting amount is not a multiple
of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10.
SGA Amount for Statutorily Blind
Individuals
Substantial Gainful Activity Amounts
Multiplying the 2000 monthly SGA
amount for non-blind individuals ($700)
by the ratio of the national average wage
index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that for
1998 ($28,861.44) produces the amount
of $864.61. We then round this amount
to $860. Because $860 is larger than the
current amount of $830, the monthly
SGA amount for non-blind disabled
individuals is $860 for 2006.
General
Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold
A finding of disability under titles II
and XVI of the Act requires that a
person, except for a title XVI disabled
child, be unable to engage in substantial
gainful activity (SGA). A person who is
earning more than a certain monthly
amount (net of impairment-related work
expenses) is ordinarily considered to be
engaging in SGA. The amount of
monthly earnings considered as SGA
depends on the nature of a person’s
disability. Section 223(d)(4)(A) of the
Act specifies a higher SGA amount for
statutorily blind individuals under title
II while Federal regulations (20 CFR
404.1574 and 416.974) specify a lower
SGA amount for non-blind individuals.
General
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
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 2005, any month in which
earnings exceed $590 is considered a
month of services for an individual’s
trial work period. In 2006, this monthly
amount increases to $620.
PO 00000
Frm 00083
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Amount
Multiplying the 2001 monthly
earnings threshold ($530) by the ratio of
the national average wage index for
2004 ($35,648.55) to that for 1999
($30,469.84) produces the amount of
$620.08. We then round this amount to
$620. Because $620 is larger than the
current amount of $590, the monthly
earnings threshold is $620 for 2006.
General
The minimum amount a domestic
worker must earn so that such earnings
are covered under Social Security or
Medicare is the domestic employee
coverage threshold. For 2006, this
threshold is $1,500. Section 3121(x) of
the Internal Revenue Code provides the
formula for increasing the threshold.
Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold
Amount
Multiplying the 1995 domestic
employee coverage threshold amount
($1,000) by the ratio of the national
average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1993
($23,132.67) produces the amount of
$1,541.05. We then round this amount
to $1,500. Accordingly, the domestic
employee coverage threshold amount is
$1,500 for 2006.
Election Worker Coverage Threshold
General
The minimum amount an election
worker must earn so that such earnings
are covered under Social Security or
Medicare is the election worker
coverage threshold. For 2006, this
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 205 / Tuesday, October 25, 2005 / Notices
threshold is $1,300. Section 218(c)(8)(B)
of the Act provides the formula for
increasing the threshold.
Computation
Under the formula, the election
worker coverage threshold amount for
2006 shall be equal to the 1999 amount
of $1,000 multiplied by the ratio of the
national average wage index for 2004 to
that for 1997. If the amount so
determined is not a multiple of $100, it
shall be rounded to the nearest multiple
of $100.
Election Worker Coverage Threshold
Amount
Multiplying the 1999 election worker
coverage threshold amount ($1,000) by
the ratio of the national average wage
index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that for
1997 ($27,426.00) produces the amount
of $1,299.81. We then round this
amount to $1,300. Accordingly, the
election worker coverage threshold
amount is $1,300 for 2006.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:
Program Nos. 96.001 Social SecurityDisability Insurance; 96.002 Social SecurityRetirement Insurance; 96.004 Social SecuritySurvivors Insurance; 96.006 Supplemental
Security Income)
Dated: October 18, 2005.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner, Social Security
Administration.
[FR Doc. 05–21272 Filed 10–24–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 5170]
Shipping Coordinating Committee;
Notice of Meeting
The Shipping Coordinating
Committee (SHC) will conduct an open
meeting from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on
Monday, November 14, 2005, in Room
6103, at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters,
2100 Second Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20593–0001. The purpose of the
meeting is to finalize preparations for
the 23rd Extraordinary Session of
Council, 95th Session of Council and
24th Session of the Assembly of the
International Maritime Organization
(IMO), which are scheduled for
November 17, 2005 thru December 2,
2005, at the IMO Headquarters in
London. Discussion will focus on
papers received and draft U.S. positions.
Items of particular interest include:
—Reports of Committees;
—Reports on Diplomatic Conferences;
—Work Program and Budget for 2006–
2007; and
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:53 Oct 24, 2005
Jkt 208001
—Election of Members of the Council.
Members of the public may attend
these meetings up to the seating
capacity of the room. Interested persons
may seek information by writing:
Director, International Affairs, U.S.
Coast Guard Headquarters,
Commandant (G–CI), room 2114, 2100
Second Street, SW., Washington, DC
20593–0001 or by calling: (202) 267–
2280.
Dated: October 13, 2005.
Clay Diamond,
Executive Secretary, Shipping Coordinating
Committee, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05–21280 Filed 10–24–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–09–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Executive Committee of the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee;
Meeting
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice
to advise the public of a meeting of the
Executive Committee of the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee.
DATES: The meeting will be on
November 9, 2005, at 10 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place
at the Federal Aviation Administration,
800 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591, 2nd floor,
Bessie Coleman Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gerri Robinson, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591,
telephone (202) 267–9678; fax (202)
267–5075; e-mail
Gerri.Robinson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under
section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2), we are
giving notice of a meeting of the
Executive Committee of the Aviation
Rulemaking Advisory Committee taking
place on November 9, 2005, at the
Federal Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20591. The agenda
includes:
• ISO Feedback (Pilot ARM Feedback
Form).
• EASA discussion.
• ARAC Web Changes.
• Future of ARAC/Recertification of
ARAC membership/Charter renewal.
• 2006 Meeting dates—frequency (2
versus 4).
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61683
• Issue Area Status Reports from
Assistant Chairs.
• Remarks from other EXCOM
members.
Attendance is open to the interested
public but limited to the space
available. The FAA will arrange
teleconference service for individuals
wishing to join in by teleconference if
we receive notice by October 31.
Arrangements to participate by
teleconference can be made by
contacting the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
Callers outside the Washington
metropolitan area are responsible for
paying long-distance charges.
The public must arrange by October
31 to present oral statements at the
meeting. The public may present
written statements to the executive
committee by providing 25 copies to the
Executive Director, or by bringing the
copies to the meeting.
If you are in need of assistance or
require a reasonable accommodation for
this meeting, please contact the person
listed under the heading FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 18,
2005.
Anthony F. Fazio,
Executive Director, Aviation Rulemaking
Advisory Committee.
[FR Doc. 05–21234 Filed 10–24–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Intent To Rule on Application
05–05–C–00–MCI To Impose a
Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) at
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
for Use at MCI and Charles B. Wheeler
Downtown Airport (MKC), Kansas City,
MO
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of intent to rule on
application.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to rule and
invites public comment on the
application to impose a PFC at MCI for
use at MCI and MKC under the
provisions of the 49 U.S.C. 40117 and
Part 158 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR Part 158).
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before November 25, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this
application may be mailed or delivered
in triplicate to the FAA at the following
address: 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61677-61683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21272]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Office of the Commissioner; Cost-of-Living Increase and Other
Determinations for 2006
AGENCY: Social Security Administration.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commissioner has determined--
(1) A 4.1 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security
benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (the Act), effective
for December 2005;
(2) An increase in the Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
monthly benefit amounts under title XVI of the Act for 2006 to $603 for
an eligible individual, $904 for an eligible individual with an
eligible spouse, and $302 for an essential person;
(3) The student earned income exclusion to be $1,460 per month in
2006 but not more than $5,910 in all of 2006;
(4) The dollar fee limit for services performed as a representative
payee to be $33 per month ($64 per month in the case of a beneficiary
who is disabled and has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition that
leaves him or her incapable of managing benefits) in 2006;
(5) The national average wage index for 2004 to be $35,648.55;
(6) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)
contribution and benefit base to be $94,200 for remuneration paid in
2006 and self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in
2006;
(7) The monthly exempt amounts under the Social Security retirement
earnings test for taxable years ending in calendar year 2006 to be
$1,040 and $2,770;
(8) The dollar amounts (``bend points'') used in the primary
insurance amount benefit formula for workers who become eligible for
benefits, or who die before becoming eligible, in 2006 to be $656 and
$3,955;
(9) The dollar amounts (``bend points'') used in the formula for
computing maximum family benefits for workers who become eligible for
benefits, or who die before becoming eligible, in 2006 to be $838,
$1,210, and $1,578;
(10) The amount of taxable earnings a person must have to be
credited with a quarter of coverage in 2006 to be $970;
(11) The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base to be $69,900
for 2006;
(12) The monthly amount deemed to constitute substantial gainful
activity for statutorily blind individuals in 2006 to be $1,450, and
the corresponding amount for non-blind disabled persons to be $860;
(13) The earnings threshold establishing a month as a part of a
trial work period to be $620 for 2006; and
(14) Coverage thresholds for 2006 to be $1,500 for domestic workers
and $1,300 for election workers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey L. Kunkel, Office of the Chief
Actuary, Social Security
[[Page 61678]]
Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, (410)
965-3013. Information relating to this announcement is available on our
Internet site at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/.
For information on eligibility or claiming benefits, call 1-800-772-
1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778, or visit our Internet site, Social Security
Online, at https://www.socialsecurity.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Act, the Commissioner
must publish within 45 days after the close of the third calendar
quarter of 2005 the benefit increase percentage and the revised table
of ``special minimum'' benefits (section 215(i)(2)(D)). Also, the
Commissioner must publish on or before November 1 the national average
wage index for 2004 (section 215(a)(1)(D)), the OASDI fund ratio for
2005 (section 215(i)(2)(C)(ii)), the OASDI contribution and benefit
base for 2006 (section 230(a)), the amount of earnings required to be
credited with a quarter of coverage in 2006 (section 213(d)(2)), the
monthly exempt amounts under the Social Security retirement earnings
test for 2006 (section 203(f)(8)(A)), the formula for computing a
primary insurance amount for workers who first become eligible for
benefits or die in 2006 (section 215(a)(1)(D)), and the formula for
computing the maximum amount of benefits payable to the family of a
worker who first becomes eligible for old-age benefits or dies in 2006
(section 203(a)(2)(C)).
Cost-of-Living Increases
General
The next cost-of-living increase, or automatic benefit increase, is
4.1 percent for benefits under titles II and XVI of the Act. Under
title II, OASDI benefits will increase by 4.1 percent for individuals
eligible for December 2005 benefits, payable in January 2006. This
increase is based on the authority contained in section 215(i) of the
Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
Under title XVI, Federal SSI payment levels will also increase by
4.1 percent effective for payments made for the month of January 2006
but paid on December 30, 2005. This is based on the authority contained
in section 1617 of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1382f).
Automatic Benefit Increase Computation
Under section 215(i) of the Act, the third calendar quarter of 2005
is a cost-of-living computation quarter for all the purposes of the
Act. The Commissioner is, therefore, required to increase benefits,
effective for December 2005, for individuals entitled under section 227
or 228 of the Act, to increase primary insurance amounts of all other
individuals entitled under title II of the Act, and to increase maximum
benefits payable to a family. For December 2005, the benefit increase
is the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage
Earners and Clerical Workers from the third quarter of 2004 to the
third quarter of 2005.
Section 215(i)(1) of the Act provides that the Consumer Price Index
for a cost-of-living computation quarter shall be the arithmetic mean
of this index for the 3 months in that quarter. We round the arithmetic
mean, if necessary, to the nearest 0.1. The Department of Labor's
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for
each month in the quarter ending September 30, 2004, is: for July 2004,
184.9; for August 2004, 185.0; and for September 2004, 185.4. The
arithmetic mean for this calendar quarter is 185.1. The corresponding
Consumer Price Index for each month in the quarter ending September 30,
2005, is: for July 2005, 191.0; for August 2005, 192.1; and for
September 2005, 195.0. The arithmetic mean for this calendar quarter is
192.7. Thus, because the Consumer Price Index for the calendar quarter
ending September 30, 2005, exceeds that for the calendar quarter ending
September 30, 2004 by 4.1 percent (rounded to the nearest 0.1), a cost-
of-living benefit increase of 4.1 percent is effective for benefits
under title II of the Act beginning December 2005.
Section 215(i) also specifies that an automatic benefit increase
under title II, effective for December of any year, will be limited to
the increase in the national average wage index for the prior year if
the ``OASDI fund ratio'' for that year is below 20.0 percent. The OASDI
fund ratio for a year is the ratio of the combined assets of the Old-
Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds at the
beginning of that year to the combined expenditures of these funds
during that year. (The expenditures in the ratio's denominator exclude
transfer payments between the two trust funds, and reduce any transfers
to the Railroad Retirement Account by any transfers from that account
into either trust fund.) For 2005, the OASDI fund ratio is assets of
$1,686,839 million divided by estimated expenditures of $528,693
million, or 319.1 percent. Because the 319.1-percent OASDI fund ratio
exceeds 20.0 percent, the automatic benefit increase for December 2005
is not limited.
Title II Benefit Amounts
In accordance with section 215(i) of the Act, in the case of
workers and family members for whom eligibility for benefits (i.e., the
worker's attainment of age 62, or disability or death before age 62)
occurred before 2006, benefits will increase by 4.1 percent beginning
with benefits for December 2005 which are payable in January 2006. In
the case of first eligibility after 2005, the 4.1 percent increase will
not apply.
For eligibility after 1978, benefits are generally determined using
a benefit formula provided by the Social Security Amendments of 1977
(Pub. L. 95-216), as described later in this notice.
For eligibility before 1979, we determine benefits by means of a
benefit table. You may obtain a copy of this table by writing to:
Social Security Administration, Office of Public Inquiries, Windsor
Park Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235. The table
is also available on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/
ProgData/tableForm.html.
Section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act requires that, when the
Commissioner determines an automatic increase in Social Security
benefits, the Commissioner will publish in the Federal Register a
revision of the range of the primary insurance amounts and
corresponding maximum family benefits based on the dollar amount and
other provisions described in section 215(a)(1)(C)(i). We refer to
these benefits as ``special minimum'' benefits. These benefits are
payable to certain individuals with long periods of relatively low
earnings. To qualify for such benefits, an individual must have at
least 11 ``years of coverage.'' To earn a year of coverage for purposes
of the special minimum benefit, a person must earn at least a certain
proportion of the ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base (described
later in this notice). For years before 1991, the proportion is 25
percent; for years after 1990, it is 15 percent. In accordance with
section 215(a)(1)(C)(i), the table below shows the revised range of
primary insurance amounts and corresponding maximum family benefit
amounts after the 4.1 percent automatic benefit increase.
Special Minimum Primary Insurance Amounts and Maximum Family Benefits
Payable for December 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary Maximum
Number of years of coverage insurance family
amount benefit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11............................................ $33.20 $50.40
12............................................ 67.30 101.80
[[Page 61679]]
13............................................ 101.70 153.10
14............................................ 135.70 204.10
15............................................ 169.60 255.20
16............................................ 203.90 306.80
17............................................ 238.20 358.30
18............................................ 272.40 409.40
19............................................ 306.40 460.70
20............................................ 340.70 511.80
21............................................ 375.00 563.50
22............................................ 408.90 614.60
23............................................ 443.60 666.60
24............................................ 477.70 717.50
25............................................ 511.80 768.20
26............................................ 546.50 820.50
27............................................ 580.20 871.50
28............................................ 614.50 922.60
29............................................ 648.50 974.20
30............................................ 682.70 1,024.90
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title XVI Benefit Amounts
In accordance with section 1617 of the Act, maximum SSI Federal
benefit amounts for the aged, blind, and disabled will increase by 4.1
percent effective January 2006. For 2005, we derived the monthly
benefit amounts for an eligible individual, an eligible individual with
an eligible spouse, and for an essential person--$579, $869, and $290,
respectively--from corresponding yearly unrounded Federal SSI benefit
amounts of $6,955.39, $10,431.91, and $3,485.67. For 2006, these yearly
unrounded amounts increase by 4.1 percent to $7,240.56, $10,859.62, and
$3,628.58, respectively. Each of these resulting amounts must be
rounded, when not a multiple of $12, to the next lower multiple of $12.
Accordingly, the corresponding annual amounts, effective for 2006, are
$7,236, $10,848, and $3,624. Dividing the yearly amounts by 12 gives
the corresponding monthly amounts for 2006--$603, $904, and $302,
respectively. In the case of an eligible individual with an eligible
spouse, we equally divide the amount payable between the two spouses.
Title VIII of the Act provides for special benefits to certain
World War II veterans residing outside the United States. Section 805
provides that ``[t]he benefit under this title payable to a qualified
individual for any month shall be in an amount equal to 75 percent of
the Federal benefit rate [the maximum amount for an eligible
individual] under title XVI for the month, reduced by the amount of the
qualified individual's benefit income for the month.'' Thus the monthly
benefit for 2006 under this provision is 75 percent of $603, or
$452.25.
Student Earned Income Exclusion
A blind or disabled child, who is a student regularly attending
school, college, or university, or a course of vocational or technical
training, can have limited earnings that are not counted against his or
her SSI benefits. The maximum amount of such income that may be
excluded in 2005 is $1,410 per month but not more than $5,670 in all of
2005. These amounts increase based on a formula set forth in regulation
20 CFR 416.1112.
To compute each of the monthly and yearly maximum amounts for 2006,
we increase the corresponding unrounded amount for 2005 by the latest
cost-of-living increase. If the amount so calculated is not a multiple
of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10. The unrounded
monthly amount for 2005 is $1,407.25. We increase this amount by 4.1
percent to $1,464.95, which we then round to $1,460. Similarly, we
increase the unrounded yearly amount for 2005, $5,672.63, by 4.1
percent to $5,905.21 and round this to $5,910. Thus the maximum amount
of the income exclusion applicable to a student in 2006 is $1,460 per
month but not more than $5,910 in all of 2006.
Fee for Services Performed as a Representative Payee
Sections 205(j)(4)(A)(i) and 1631(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Act permit a
qualified organization to collect from an individual a monthly fee for
expenses incurred in providing services performed as such individual's
representative payee. Currently the fee is limited to the lesser of:
(1) 10 percent of the monthly benefit involved; or (2) $32 per month
($61 per month in any case in which the individual is entitled to
disability benefits and the Commissioner has determined that payment to
the representative payee would serve the interest of the individual
because the individual has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition
and is incapable of managing such benefits). The dollar fee limits are
subject to increase by the automatic cost-of-living increase, with the
resulting amounts rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount. Thus we
increase the current amounts by 4.1 percent to $33 and $64 for 2006.
National Average Wage Index for 2004
General
Under various provisions of the Act, several amounts increase
automatically with annual increases in the national average wage index.
The amounts are: (1) The OASDI contribution and benefit base; (2) the
exempt amounts under the retirement earnings test; (3) the dollar
amounts, or ``bend points,'' in the primary insurance amount and
maximum family benefit formulas; (4) the amount of earnings required
for a worker to be credited with a quarter of coverage; (5) the ``old-
law'' contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of
the Act as in effect before the 1977 amendments); (6) the substantial
gainful activity amount applicable to statutorily blind individuals;
and (7) the coverage threshold for election officials and election
workers. Also, section 3121(x) of the Internal Revenue Code requires
that the domestic employee coverage threshold be based on changes in
the national average wage index.
In addition to the amounts required by statute, two amounts
increase automatically under regulatory requirements. The amounts are
(1) the substantial gainful activity amount applicable to non-blind
disabled persons, and (2) the monthly earnings threshold that
establishes a month as part of a trial work period for disabled
beneficiaries.
Computation
The determination of the national average wage index for calendar
year 2004 is based on the 2003 national average wage index of
$34,064.95 announced in the Federal Register on October 26, 2004 (69 FR
62497), along with the percentage increase in average wages from 2003
to 2004 measured by annual wage data tabulated by the Social Security
Administration (SSA). The wage data tabulated by SSA include
contributions to deferred compensation plans, as required by section
209(k) of the Act. The average amounts of wages calculated directly
from these data were $32,678.48 and $34,197.63 for 2003 and 2004,
respectively. To determine the national average wage index for 2004 at
a level that is consistent with the national average wage indexing
series for 1951 through 1977 (published December 29, 1978, at 43 FR
61016), we multiply the 2003 national average wage index of $34,064.95
by the percentage increase in average wages from 2003 to 2004 (based on
SSA-tabulated wage data) as follows, with the result rounded to the
nearest cent.
Amount
Multiplying the national average wage index for 2003 ($34,064.95)
by the ratio of the average wage for 2004 ($34,197.63) to that for 2003
($32,678.48) produces the 2004 index,
[[Page 61680]]
$35,648.55. The national average wage index for calendar year 2004 is
about 4.65 percent greater than the 2003 index.
OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base
General
The OASDI contribution and benefit base is $94,200 for remuneration
paid in 2006 and self-employment income earned in taxable years
beginning in 2006.
The OASDI contribution and benefit base serves two purposes:
(a) It is the maximum annual amount of earnings on which OASDI
taxes are paid. The OASDI tax rate for remuneration paid in 2006 is 6.2
percent for employees and employers, each. The OASDI tax rate for self-
employment income earned in taxable years beginning in 2006 is 12.4
percent. (The Hospital Insurance tax is due on remuneration, without
limitation, paid in 2006, at the rate of 1.45 percent for employees and
employers, each, and on self-employment income earned in taxable years
beginning in 2006, at the rate of 2.9 percent.)
(b) It is the maximum annual amount of earnings used in determining
a person's OASDI benefits.
Computation
Section 230(b) of the Act provides the formula used to determine
the OASDI contribution and benefit base. Under the formula, the base
for 2006 shall be the larger of: (1) The 1994 base of $60,600
multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 to
that for 1992; or (2) the current base ($90,000). If the resulting
amount is not a multiple of $300, it shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $300.
Amount
Multiplying the 1994 OASDI contribution and benefit base amount
($60,600) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55 as determined above) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces
the amount of $94,190.65. We round this amount to $94,200. Because
$94,200 exceeds the current base amount of $90,000, the OASDI
contribution and benefit base is $94,200 for 2006.
Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts
General
We withhold Social Security benefits when a beneficiary under the
normal retirement age (NRA) has earnings in excess of the applicable
retirement earnings test exempt amount. (NRA is the age of initial
benefit entitlement for which the benefit, before rounding, is equal to
the worker's primary insurance amount. The NRA is age 65 for those born
before 1938, and it gradually increases to age 67.) A higher exempt
amount applies in the year in which a person attains his/her NRA, but
only with respect to earnings in months prior to such attainment, and a
lower exempt amount applies at all other ages below NRA. Section
203(f)(8)(B) of the Act, as amended by section 102 of Public Law 104-
121, provides formulas for determining the monthly exempt amounts. The
corresponding annual exempt amounts are exactly 12 times the monthly
amounts.
For beneficiaries attaining NRA in the year, we withhold $1 in
benefits for every $3 of earnings in excess of the annual exempt amount
for months prior to such attainment. For all other beneficiaries under
NRA, we withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 of earnings in excess of
the annual exempt amount.
Computation
Under the formula applicable to beneficiaries who are under NRA and
who will not attain NRA in 2006, the lower monthly exempt amount for
2006 shall be the larger of: (1) The 1994 monthly exempt amount
multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 to
that for 1992; or (2) the 2005 monthly exempt amount ($1,000). If the
resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, it shall be rounded to the
nearest multiple of $10.
Under the formula applicable to beneficiaries attaining NRA in
2006, the higher monthly exempt amount for 2006 shall be the larger of:
(1) The 2002 monthly exempt amount multiplied by the ratio of the
national average wage index for 2004 to that for 2000; or (2) the 2005
monthly exempt amount ($2,650). If the resulting amount is not a
multiple of $10, it shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
Lower Exempt Amount
Multiplying the 1994 retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount
of $670 by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces the amount of
$1,041.38. We round this to $1,040. Because $1,040 is larger than the
corresponding current exempt amount of $1,000, the lower retirement
earnings test monthly exempt amount is $1,040 for 2006. The
corresponding lower annual exempt amount is $12,480 under the
retirement earnings test.
Higher Exempt Amount
Multiplying the 2002 retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount
of $2,500 by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 2000 ($32,154.82) produces the amount of
$2,771.63. We round this to $2,770. Because $2,770 is larger than the
corresponding current exempt amount of $2,650, the higher retirement
earnings test monthly exempt amount is $2,770 for 2006. The
corresponding higher annual exempt amount is $33,240 under the
retirement earnings test.
Computing Benefits After 1978
General
The Social Security Amendments of 1977 provided a method for
computing benefits which generally applies when a worker first becomes
eligible for benefits after 1978. This method uses the worker's
``average indexed monthly earnings'' to compute the primary insurance
amount. We adjust the computation formula each year to reflect changes
in general wage levels, as measured by the national average wage index.
We also adjust, or ``index,'' a worker's earnings to reflect the
change in general wage levels that occurred during the worker's years
of employment. Such indexation ensures that a worker's future benefit
level will reflect the general rise in the standard of living that will
occur during his or her working lifetime. To compute the average
indexed monthly earnings, we first determine the required number of
years of earnings. Then we select that number of years with the highest
indexed earnings, add the indexed earnings, and divide the total amount
by the total number of months in those years. We then round the
resulting average amount down to the next lower dollar amount. The
result is the average indexed monthly earnings.
For example, to compute the average indexed monthly earnings for a
worker attaining age 62, becoming disabled before age 62, or dying
before attaining age 62, in 2006, we divide the national average wage
index for 2004, $35,648.55, by the national average wage index for each
year prior to 2004 in which the worker had earnings. Then we multiply
the actual wages and self-employment income, as defined in section
211(b) of the Act and credited for each year, by the corresponding
ratio to obtain the worker's indexed earnings for each year before
2004. We consider any earnings in 2004 or later at face value, without
indexing. We then compute the average indexed monthly earnings for
determining the worker's primary insurance amount for 2006.
[[Page 61681]]
Computing the Primary Insurance Amount
The primary insurance amount is the sum of three separate
percentages of portions of the average indexed monthly earnings. In
1979 (the first year the formula was in effect), these portions were
the first $180, the amount between $180 and $1,085, and the amount over
$1,085. We call the dollar amounts in the formula governing the
portions of the average indexed monthly earnings the ``bend points'' of
the formula. Thus, the bend points for 1979 were $180 and $1,085.
To obtain the bend points for 2006, we multiply each of the 1979
bend-point amounts by the ratio of the national average wage index for
2004 to that average for 1977. We then round these results to the
nearest dollar. Multiplying the 1979 amounts of $180 and $1,085 by the
ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that
for 1977 ($9,779.44) produces the amounts of $656.15 and $3,955.10. We
round these to $656 and $3,955. Accordingly, the portions of the
average indexed monthly earnings to be used in 2006 are the first $656,
the amount between $656 and $3,955, and the amount over $3,955.
Consequently, for individuals who first become eligible for old-age
insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits in 2006, or who die
in 2006 before becoming eligible for benefits, their primary insurance
amount will be the sum of:
(a) 90 percent of the first $656 of their average indexed monthly
earnings, plus
(b) 32 percent of their average indexed monthly earnings over $656 and
through $3,955, plus
(c) 15 percent of their average indexed monthly earnings over $3,955.
We round this amount to the next lower multiple of $0.10 if it is
not already a multiple of $0.10. This formula and the rounding
adjustment described above are contained in section 215(a) of the Act
(42 U.S.C. 415(a)).
Maximum Benefits Payable to a Family
General
The 1977 amendments continued the long established policy of
limiting the total monthly benefits that a worker's family may receive
based on his or her primary insurance amount. Those amendments also
continued the then existing relationship between maximum family
benefits and primary insurance amounts but did change the method of
computing the maximum amount of benefits that may be paid to a worker's
family. The Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-
265) established a formula for computing the maximum benefits payable
to the family of a disabled worker. This formula applies to the family
benefits of workers who first become entitled to disability insurance
benefits after June 30, 1980, and who first become eligible for these
benefits after 1978. For disabled workers initially entitled to
disability benefits before July 1980, or whose disability began before
1979, we compute the family maximum payable the same as the old-age and
survivor family maximum.
Computing the Old-Age and Survivor Family Maximum
The formula used to compute the family maximum is similar to that
used to compute the primary insurance amount. It involves computing the
sum of four separate percentages of portions of the worker's primary
insurance amount. In 1979, these portions were the first $230, the
amount between $230 and $332, the amount between $332 and $433, and the
amount over $433. We refer to such dollar amounts in the formula as the
``bend points'' of the family-maximum formula.
To obtain the bend points for 2006, we multiply each of the 1979
bend-point amounts by the ratio of the national average wage index for
2004 to that average for 1977. Then we round this amount to the nearest
dollar. Multiplying the amounts of $230, $332, and $433 by the ratio of
the national average wage index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that for 1977
($9,779.44) produces the amounts of $838.41, $1,210.22, and $1,578.40.
We round these amounts to $838, $1,210, and $1,578. Accordingly, the
portions of the primary insurance amounts to be used in 2006 are the
first $838, the amount between $838 and $1,210, the amount between
$1,210 and $1,578, and the amount over $1,578.
Consequently, for the family of a worker who becomes age 62 or dies
in 2006 before age 62, we will compute the total amount of benefits
payable to them so that it does not exceed:
(a) 150 percent of the first $838 of the worker's primary insurance
amount, plus
(b) 272 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount over $838
through $1,210, plus
(c) 134 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount over $1,210
through $1,578, plus
(d) 175 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount over $1,578.
We then round this amount to the next lower multiple of $0.10 if it
is not already a multiple of $0.10. This formula and the rounding
adjustment described above are contained in section 203(a) of the Act
(42 U.S.C. 403(a)).
Quarter of Coverage Amount
General
The amount of earnings required for a quarter of coverage in 2006
is $970. A quarter of coverage is the basic unit for determining
whether a worker is insured under the Social Security program. For
years before 1978, we generally credited an individual with a quarter
of coverage for each quarter in which wages of $50 or more were paid,
or with 4 quarters of coverage for every taxable year in which $400 or
more of self-employment income was earned. Beginning in 1978, employers
generally report wages on an annual basis instead of a quarterly basis.
With the change to annual reporting, section 352(b) of the Social
Security Amendments of 1977 amended section 213(d) of the Act to
provide that a quarter of coverage would be credited for each $250 of
an individual's total wages and self-employment income for calendar
year 1978, up to a maximum of 4 quarters of coverage for the year.
Computation
Under the prescribed formula, the quarter of coverage amount for
2006 shall be the larger of: (1) The 1978 amount of $250 multiplied by
the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 to that for 1976;
or (2) the current amount of $920. Section 213(d) further provides that
if the resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, it shall be rounded
to the nearest multiple of $10.
Quarter of Coverage Amount
Multiplying the 1978 quarter of coverage amount ($250) by the ratio
of the national average wage index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that for
1976 ($9,226.48) produces the amount of $965.93. We then round this
amount to $970. Because $970 exceeds the current amount of $920, the
quarter of coverage amount is $970 for 2006.
``Old-Law'' Contribution and Benefit Base
General
The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base for 2006 is $69,900.
This is the base that would have been effective under the Act without
the enactment of the 1977 amendments.
The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base is used by:
[[Page 61682]]
(a) The Railroad Retirement program to determine certain tax
liabilities and tier II benefits payable under that program to
supplement the tier I payments which correspond to basic Social
Security benefits,
(b) The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to determine the
maximum amount of pension guaranteed under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (as stated in section 230(d) of the Social Security
Act),
(c) Social Security to determine a year of coverage in computing
the special minimum benefit, as described earlier, and
(d) Social Security to determine a year of coverage (acquired
whenever earnings equal or exceed 25 percent of the ``old-law'' base
for this purpose only) in computing benefits for persons who are also
eligible to receive pensions based on employment not covered under
section 210 of the Act.
Computation
The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base shall be the larger
of: (1) the 1994 ``old-law'' base ($45,000) multiplied by the ratio of
the national average wage index for 2004 to that for 1992; or (2) the
current ``old-law'' base ($66,900). If the resulting amount is not a
multiple of $300, it shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $300.
Amount
Multiplying the 1994 ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base
amount ($45,000) by the ratio of the national average wage index for
2004 ($35,648.55) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces the amount of
$69,943.55. We round this amount to $69,900. Because $69,900 exceeds
the current amount of $66,900, the ``old-law'' contribution and benefit
base is $69,900 for 2006.
Substantial Gainful Activity Amounts
General
A finding of disability under titles II and XVI of the Act requires
that a person, except for a title XVI disabled child, be unable to
engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning
more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work
expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of
monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's
disability. Section 223(d)(4)(A) of the Act specifies a higher SGA
amount for statutorily blind individuals under title II while Federal
regulations (20 CFR 404.1574 and 416.974) specify a lower SGA amount
for non-blind individuals. Both SGA amounts increase in accordance with
increases in the national average wage index.
Computation
The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals under
title II for 2006 shall be the larger of: (1) Such amount for 1994
multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 to
that for 1992; or (2) such amount for 2005. The monthly SGA amount for
non-blind disabled individuals for 2006 shall be the larger of: (1)
Such amount for 2000 multiplied by the ratio of the national average
wage index for 2004 to that for 1998; or (2) such amount for 2005. In
either case, if the resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, it shall
be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
SGA Amount for Statutorily Blind Individuals
Multiplying the 1994 monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind
individuals ($930) by the ratio of the national average wage index for
2004 ($35,648.55) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces the amount of
$1,445.50. We then round this amount to $1,450. Because $1,450 is
larger than the current amount of $1,380, the monthly SGA amount for
statutorily blind individuals is $1,450 for 2006.
SGA Amount for Non-Blind Disabled Individuals
Multiplying the 2000 monthly SGA amount for non-blind individuals
($700) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1998 ($28,861.44) produces the amount of
$864.61. We then round this amount to $860. Because $860 is larger than
the current amount of $830, the monthly SGA amount for non-blind
disabled individuals is $860 for 2006.
Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold
General
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 2005, any month in which
earnings exceed $590 is considered a month of services for an
individual's trial work period. In 2006, this monthly amount increases
to $620.
Computation
The method used to determine the new amount is set forth in our
regulations at 20 CFR 404.1592(b). Monthly earnings in 2006, used to
determine whether a month is part of a trial work period, is such
amount for 2001 ($530) multiplied by the ratio of the national average
wage index for 2004 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such amount for
2005. If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it
to the nearest multiple of $10.
Amount
Multiplying the 2001 monthly earnings threshold ($530) by the ratio
of the national average wage index for 2004 ($35,648.55) to that for
1999 ($30,469.84) produces the amount of $620.08. We then round this
amount to $620. Because $620 is larger than the current amount of $590,
the monthly earnings threshold is $620 for 2006.
Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold
General
The minimum amount a domestic worker must earn so that such
earnings are covered under Social Security or Medicare is the domestic
employee coverage threshold. For 2006, this threshold is $1,500.
Section 3121(x) of the Internal Revenue Code provides the formula for
increasing the threshold.
Computation
Under the formula, the domestic employee coverage threshold amount
for 2006 shall be equal to the 1995 amount of $1,000 multiplied by the
ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 to that for 1993. If
the resulting amount is not a multiple of $100, it shall be rounded to
the next lower multiple of $100.
Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold Amount
Multiplying the 1995 domestic employee coverage threshold amount
($1,000) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1993 ($23,132.67) produces the amount of
$1,541.05. We then round this amount to $1,500. Accordingly, the
domestic employee coverage threshold amount is $1,500 for 2006.
Election Worker Coverage Threshold
General
The minimum amount an election worker must earn so that such
earnings are covered under Social Security or Medicare is the election
worker coverage threshold. For 2006, this
[[Page 61683]]
threshold is $1,300. Section 218(c)(8)(B) of the Act provides the
formula for increasing the threshold.
Computation
Under the formula, the election worker coverage threshold amount
for 2006 shall be equal to the 1999 amount of $1,000 multiplied by the
ratio of the national average wage index for 2004 to that for 1997. If
the amount so determined is not a multiple of $100, it shall be rounded
to the nearest multiple of $100.
Election Worker Coverage Threshold Amount
Multiplying the 1999 election worker coverage threshold amount
($1,000) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2004
($35,648.55) to that for 1997 ($27,426.00) produces the amount of
$1,299.81. We then round this amount to $1,300. Accordingly, the
election worker coverage threshold amount is $1,300 for 2006.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Program Nos. 96.001 Social
Security-Disability Insurance; 96.002 Social Security-Retirement
Insurance; 96.004 Social Security-Survivors Insurance; 96.006
Supplemental Security Income)
Dated: October 18, 2005.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-21272 Filed 10-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P
