Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2023, 64296-64302 [2022-23073]

Agencies

• Social Security Administration

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 204 (Monday, October 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64296-64302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23073]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2022-0045]


Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2023

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under title II of the Social Security Act (Act), there will be 
an 8.7 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits 
effective December 2022. In addition, the national average wage index 
for 2021 is $60,575.07. The cost-of-living increase and national 
average wage index affect other program parameters as described below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen K. Sutton, Office of the 
Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235, (410) 965-3000. Information relating to this 
announcement is available at www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/. For 
information on eligibility or claiming benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 
(TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit www.ssa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because of the 8.7 percent cost-of-living 
increase, the following items will increase for 2023:
    (1) The maximum Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly 
payment amounts for 2023 under title XVI of the Act will be $914 for an 
eligible individual; $1,371 for an eligible individual with an eligible 
spouse; and $458 for an essential person.
    (2) The special benefit amount under title VIII of the Act for 
certain World War II (WWII) veterans will be $685.50 for 2023.
    (3) The student earned income exclusion under title XVI of the Act 
will be $2,220 per month in 2023, but not more than $8,950 for all of 
2023.
    (4) The dollar fee limit for services performed as a representative 
payee will be $52 per month ($97 per month in the case of a beneficiary 
who is determined to be disabled and has an alcoholism or drug 
addiction condition that leaves them incapable of managing benefits) in 
2023.
    (5) The assessment (or ``user fee'') dollar limit on the 
administrative cost charged when the agency pays authorized 
representative fees directly out of a claimant's past due benefits will 
be $113, beginning in December 2022.
    The national average wage index for 2021 is $60,575.07. This index 
affects the following amounts:
    (1) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI)

[[Page 64297]]

contribution and benefit base will be $160,200 for remuneration paid in 
2023 and self-employment income earned in tax years beginning in 2023.
    (2) The monthly exempt amounts under the OASDI retirement earnings 
test for tax years ending in calendar year 2023 will be $1,770 for 
beneficiaries who will attain their Normal Retirement Age (NRA) 
(defined in the Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts section below) 
after 2023 and $4,710 for those who attain NRA in 2023.
    (3) The dollar amounts (bend points) used in the primary insurance 
amount (PIA) formula for workers who become eligible for benefits or 
who die before becoming eligible, in 2023, will be $1,115 and $6,721.
    (4) The bend points used in the formula for computing maximum 
family benefits for workers who become eligible for retirement 
benefits, or who die before becoming eligible, in 2023, will be $1,425, 
$2,056, and $2,682.
    (5) The taxable earnings a person must have in 2023 to be credited 
with a quarter of coverage will be $1,640.
    (6) The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base under title II of 
the Act will be $118,800 for 2023.
    (7) The monthly amount of earnings deemed to constitute substantial 
gainful activity (SGA) for statutorily blind people in 2023 will be 
$2,460. The corresponding amount of earnings for non-blind people with 
a determined disability will be $1,470.
    (8) The earnings threshold establishing a month as a part of a 
trial work period will be $1,050 for 2023.
    (9) Coverage thresholds for 2023 will be $2,600 for domestic 
workers and $2,200 for election officials and election workers.
    According to section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act, we must publish the 
benefit increase percentage and the revised table of ``special 
minimum'' benefits within 45 days after the close of the third calendar 
quarter of 2022.
    We must also publish the following by November 1: the national 
average wage index for 2021 (215(a)(1)(D)), the OASDI fund ratio for 
2022 (section 215(i)(2)(C)(ii)), the OASDI contribution and benefit 
base for 2023 (section 230(a)), the earnings required to be credited 
with a quarter of coverage in 2023 (section 213(d)(2)), the monthly 
exempt amounts under the Social Security retirement earnings test for 
2023 (section 203(f)(8)(A)), the formula for computing a PIA for 
workers who first become eligible for benefits or die in 2023 (section 
215(a)(1)(D)), and the formula for computing the maximum benefits 
payable to the family of a worker who first becomes eligible for old-
age benefits or dies in 2023 (section 203(a)(2)(C)).

Cost-of-Living Increases

General

    The cost-of-living increase is 8.7 percent for monthly benefits 
under title II and for monthly payments under title XVI of the Act. 
Under title II, OASDI monthly benefits will increase by 8.7 percent for 
individuals eligible for December 2022 benefits, payable in January 
2023 and thereafter. We base this increase on the authority contained 
in section 215(i) of the Act.
    Pursuant to section 1617 of the Act, Federal SSI benefit rates will 
also increase by 8.7 percent effective for payments made for January 
2023 but paid on December 30, 2022.

Computation

    Computation of the cost-of-living increase is based on an increase 
in a Consumer Price Index (CPI) produced by the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics. At the time the Act was amended to provide automatic cost-
of-living increases starting in 1975, only one CPI existed, namely the 
index now referred to as CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical 
Workers (CPI-W). Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics has since 
developed other CPIs, we follow precedent by continuing to use the CPI-
W. We refer to this index in the following paragraphs as the CPI.
    Section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Act defines a ``computation quarter'' 
to be a third calendar quarter in which the average CPI exceeded the 
average CPI in the previous computation quarter. The last cost-of-
living increase, effective for those eligible to receive title II 
benefits for December 2021, was based on the CPI increase from the 
third quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2021. Therefore, the last 
computation quarter is the third quarter of 2021. The law states that a 
cost-of-living increase for benefits is determined based on the 
percentage increase, if any, in the CPI from the last computation 
quarter to the third quarter of the current year. Therefore, we compute 
the increase in the CPI from the third quarter of 2021 to the third 
quarter of 2022.
    Section 215(i)(1) of the Act states that the CPI for a cost-of-
living computation quarter is the arithmetic mean of this index for the 
3 months in that quarter. In accordance with 20 CFR 404.275, we round 
the arithmetic mean, if necessary, to the nearest 0.001. The CPI for 
each month in the quarter ending September 30, 2021, the last 
computation quarter, is: for July 2021, 267.789; for August 2021, 
268.387; and for September 2021, 269.086. The arithmetic mean for the 
calendar quarter ending September 30, 2021, is 268.421. The CPI for 
each month in the quarter ending September 30, 2022, is: for July 2022, 
292.219; for August 2022, 291.629; and for September 2022, 291.854. The 
arithmetic mean for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2022, is 
291.901. The CPI for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2022, 
exceeds that for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2021, by 8.7 
percent (rounded to the nearest 0.1). Therefore, beginning December 
2022, a cost-of-living benefit increase of 8.7 percent is effective for 
benefits under title II of the Act.
    Section 215(i) also specifies that a 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 asset reserves of the OASI and DI 
Trust Funds at the beginning of that year to the combined cost of the 
programs during that year. For 2022, the OASDI fund ratio is reserves 
of $2,852,030 million divided by estimated cost of $1,242,246 million, 
or 229.6 percent. Because the 229.6 percent OASDI fund ratio exceeds 
20.0 percent, the benefit increase for December 2022 is not limited to 
the increase in the national average wage index.

Program Amounts That Change Based on the Cost-of-Living Increase

    The following program amounts change based on the cost-of-living 
increase: (1) title II benefits; (2) title XVI payments; (3) title VIII 
benefits; (4) the student earned income exclusion; (5) the fee for 
services performed by a representative payee; and (6) the appointed 
representative fee assessment.

Title II Benefit Amounts

    In accordance with section 215(i) of the Act, for workers and 
family members for whom eligibility for benefits (that is, the worker's 
attainment of age 62, or disability or death before age 62) occurred 
before 2023, benefits will increase by 8.7 percent beginning with 
benefits for December 2022, which are payable in January 2023. For 
those first eligible after 2022, the 8.7 percent increase will not 
apply.
    For eligibility after 1978, we determine benefits using a 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 using a 
benefit

[[Page 64298]]

table. The table is available at www.ssa.gov/oact/ProgData/tableForm.html or by writing to: Social Security Administration, Office 
of Public Inquiries, Windsor Park Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235.
    Section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act requires that, when we determine an 
increase in Social Security benefits, we will publish in the Federal 
Register a revision of the range of the PIAs and 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 low earnings. To qualify for these 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 PIAs and maximum family benefit amounts after the 8.7 
percent benefit increase.

  Special Minimum PIAs and Maximum Family Benefits Payable for December
                                  2022
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Maximum
            Number of years of coverage                PIA      family
                                                                benefit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11................................................    $49.40      $75.40
12................................................    101.10      153.30
13................................................    153.10      231.30
14................................................    204.60      308.70
15................................................    256.00      385.90
16................................................    308.20      463.90
17................................................    360.00      542.10
18................................................    411.70      619.40
19................................................    463.40      697.30
20................................................    515.50      774.30
21................................................    567.30      852.90
22................................................    618.70      930.10
23................................................    671.40    1,009.20
24................................................    723.00    1,086.10
25................................................    774.30    1,163.30
26................................................    827.00    1,242.10
27................................................    878.10    1,319.70
28................................................    929.90    1,397.00
29................................................    981.80    1,475.30
30................................................  1,033.50    1,552.10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title XVI Payment Amounts

    In accordance with section 1617 of the Act, the Federal benefit 
rates used in computing Federal SSI payments for the aged, blind, and 
disabled will increase by 8.7 percent effective January 2023. For 2022, 
we determined the monthly payment amounts to be --$841 for an eligible 
individual, $1,261 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, 
and $421 for an essential person. These amounts were derived from 
yearly, unrounded Federal SSI payment amounts of $10,092.40, 
$15,136.93, and $5,057.77, respectively. For 2023, these yearly 
unrounded amounts increase by 8.7 percent to $10,970.44, $16,453.84, 
and $5,497.80, respectively. We must round each of these resulting 
amounts, when not a multiple of $12, to the next lower multiple of $12. 
Therefore, the annual amounts, effective for 2023, are $10,968, 
$16,452, and $5,496. Dividing the yearly amounts by 12 gives the 
respective monthly amounts for 2023--$914, $1,371, and $458. For an 
eligible individual with an eligible spouse, we equally divide the 
amount payable between the two spouses.

Title VIII Benefit Amount

    Title VIII of the Act provides for special benefits to certain WWII 
veterans who reside outside the United States. Section 805 of the Act 
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.'' Therefore, the 
monthly benefit for 2023 under this provision is 75 percent of $914, or 
$685.50.

Student Earned Income Exclusion

    Children who are blind or have a determined disability can have 
limited earnings that do not count against their SSI payments if they 
are students regularly attending school, college, university, or a 
course of vocational or technical training. The maximum amount of such 
income that we may exclude in 2022 is $2,040 per month, but not more 
than $8,230 in all of 2022. 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 2023, 
we increase the unrounded amount for 2022 by the latest cost-of-living 
increase. If the calculated amount is not a multiple of $10, we round 
it to the nearest multiple of $10. The unrounded monthly amount for 
2022 is $2,041.95. We increase this amount by 8.7 percent to $2,219.60, 
which we then round to $2,220. Similarly, we increase the unrounded 
yearly amount for 2022, $8,231.08, by 8.7 percent to $8,947.18 and 
round this to $8,950. Therefore, the maximum amount of the income 
exclusion applicable to a student in 2023 is $2,220 per month, but not 
more than $8,950 in all of 2023.

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 a monthly fee from a beneficiary for 
expenses incurred in providing services as the beneficiary's 
representative payee. In 2022, the fee is limited to the lesser of: (1) 
10 percent of the monthly benefit involved; or (2) $48 each month ($89 
each month when the beneficiary is entitled to disability benefits and 
has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition that makes the individual 
incapable of managing such benefits). The dollar fee limits are subject 
to increase by the cost-of-living increase, with the resulting amounts 
rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount. Therefore, we increase the 
current amounts by 8.7 percent to $52 and $97 for 2023.

Appointed Representative Fee Assessment

    Under sections 206(d) and 1631(d) of the Act, whenever the agency 
pays authorized representative fees directly out of a claimant's past 
due benefits, we must impose an assessment (or ``user fee'') to cover 
administrative costs. The user fee applied is the lower amount of 6.3 
percent of the representative's authorized fee or a dollar amount that 
is subject to the cost-of-living increase. We derive the dollar limit 
for December 2022, by increasing the unrounded limit for December 2021, 
$104.53, by 8.7 percent, which is $113.62. We then round $113.62 to the 
next lower multiple of $1. The dollar limit effective for December 2022 
is, therefore, $113.

National Average Wage Index for 2021

Computation

    We determined the national average wage index for calendar year 
2021. It is based on the 2020 national average wage index of 
$55,628.60, which was published in the Federal Register on October 22, 
2021 (86 FR 58715), and on the percentage increase in average wages 
from 2020 to 2021, as measured by annual wage data. We tabulate the 
annual wage data, including contributions to deferred compensation 
plans, as required by section 209(k) of the Act. The average amounts of 
wages calculated from these data were $53,383.18 for 2020 and 
$58,129.99 for 2021. To determine the national average wage index for 
2021 at a level consistent with the national average wage indexing

[[Page 64299]]

series for 1951 through 1977 (published December 29, 1978, at 43 FR 
61016), we multiply the 2020 national average wage index of $55,628.60 
by the percentage increase in average wages from 2020 to 2021 (based on 
SSA-tabulated wage data) as follows. We round the result to the nearest 
cent.

National Average Wage Index Amount

    Multiplying the national average wage index for 2020 ($55,628.60) 
by the ratio of the average wage for 2021 ($58,129.99) to that for 2020 
($53,383.18) produces the 2021 index, $60,575.07. The national average 
wage index for calendar year 2021 is about 8.89 percent higher than the 
2020 index.
    Program Amounts that Change Based on the National Average Wage 
Index
    Under the Act, the following amounts change with annual changes in 
the national average wage index: (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 PIA formula; (4) the bend 
points in the maximum family benefit formula; (5) the earnings required 
to credit a worker with a quarter of coverage; (6) the old-law 
contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the 
Act as in effect before the 1977 amendments); (7) the substantial 
gainful activity (SGA) amount applicable to statutorily blind 
individuals; and (8) the coverage threshold for election officials and 
election workers. Additionally, under section 3121(x) of the Internal 
Revenue Code, the domestic employee coverage threshold is based on 
changes in the national average wage index.
    Two amounts also increase under regulatory requirements--the SGA 
amount applicable to non-blind individuals with a determined 
disability, and the monthly earnings threshold that establishes a month 
as part of a trial work period for beneficiaries with a determined 
disability.

OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base

General

    The OASDI contribution and benefit base is $160,200 for 
remuneration paid in 2023 and self-employment income earned in tax 
years beginning in 2023. The OASDI contribution and benefit base serves 
as the maximum annual earnings on which OASDI taxes are paid. It is 
also the maximum annual 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 2023 is the larger of: (1) the 1994 base of $60,600 multiplied by 
the ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 to that for 1992; 
or (2) the current base ($147,000). If the resulting amount is not a 
multiple of $300, we round it to the nearest multiple of $300.

OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base Amount

    Multiplying the 1994 OASDI contribution and benefit base ($60,600) 
by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 ($60,575.07 as 
determined above) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $160,051.54. 
We round this amount to $160,200. Because $160,200 exceeds the current 
base amount of $147,000, the OASDI contribution and benefit base is 
$160,200 for 2023.

Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts

General

    We withhold Social Security benefits when a beneficiary under the 
NRA has earnings more than the applicable retirement earnings test 
exempt amount. The NRA is the age when retirement benefits (before 
rounding) are equal to the PIA. The NRA is age 66 for those born in 
1943-54. It gradually increases to age 67 for those born in 1960 or 
later. A higher exempt amount applies in the year in which a person 
attains NRA, but only for earnings in months before such attainment. A 
lower exempt amount applies at all other ages below NRA. Section 
203(f)(8)(B) of the Act provides formulas for determining the monthly 
exempt amounts. The annual exempt amounts are exactly 12 times the 
monthly amounts.
    For beneficiaries who attain NRA in the year, we withhold $1 in 
benefits for every $3 of earnings over the annual exempt amount for 
months before NRA. For all other beneficiaries under NRA, we withhold 
$1 in benefits for every $2 of earnings over the annual exempt amount.

Computation

    Under the formula that applies to beneficiaries attaining NRA after 
2023, the lower monthly exempt amount for 2023 is the larger of: (1) 
the 1994 monthly exempt amount multiplied by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2021 to that for 1992; or (2) the 2022 monthly 
exempt amount ($1,630). If the resulting amount is not a multiple of 
$10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.
    Under the formula that applies to beneficiaries attaining NRA in 
2023, the higher monthly exempt amount for 2023 is the larger of: (1) 
the 2002 monthly exempt amount multiplied by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2021 to that for 2000; or (2) the 2022 monthly 
exempt amount ($4,330). If the resulting amount is not a multiple of 
$10, we round it 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 2021 
($60,575.07) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $1,769.55. We round 
this to $1,770. Because $1,770 exceeds the current exempt amount of 
$1,630, the lower retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount is 
$1,770 for 2023. The lower annual exempt amount is $21,240 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 2021 
($60,575.07) to that for 2000 ($32,154.82) produces $4,709.64. We round 
this to $4,710. Because $4,710 exceeds the current exempt amount of 
$4,330, the higher retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount is 
$4,710 for 2023. The higher annual exempt amount is $56,520 under the 
retirement earnings test.

Primary Insurance Amount Formula

General

    The Social Security Amendments of 1977 provided a method for 
computing benefits that generally applies when a worker first becomes 
eligible for benefits after 1978. This method uses the worker's average 
indexed monthly earnings (AIME) to compute the PIA. We adjust the 
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 the general wage levels that occurred during the worker's years of 
employment. Such indexing ensures that a worker's future benefit level 
will reflect the general rise in the standard of living that will occur 
during their working lifetime. To compute the AIME, we first determine 
the required number of years of earnings. We then select the number of 
years with the highest indexed earnings, add the indexed earnings for 
those years, and divide the total amount by the total number of months 
in those years. We then round the resulting

[[Page 64300]]

average amount down to the next lower dollar amount. The result is the 
AIME.

Computing the PIA

    The PIA is the sum of three separate percentages of portions of the 
AIME. 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 above $1,085. We call the dollar amounts in the formula 
governing the portions of the AIME the bend points of the formula. 
Therefore, the bend points for 1979 were $180 and $1,085.
    To obtain the bend points for 2023, we multiply each of the 1979 
bend-point amounts by the ratio of the national average wage index for 
2021 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 2021 ($60,575.07) to that 
for 1977 ($9,779.44) produces the amounts of $1,114.94 and $6,720.63. 
We round these to $1,115 and $6,721. Therefore, the portions of the 
AIME to be used in 2023 are the first $1,115, the amount between $1,115 
and $6,721, and the amount above $6,721.
    Therefore, for individuals who first become eligible for old-age 
insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits in 2023, or who die 
in 2023 before becoming eligible for benefits, their PIA will be the 
sum of:
    (a) 90 percent of the first $1,115 of their AIME, plus
    (b) 32 percent of their AIME between $1,115 and $6,721, plus
    (c) 15 percent of their AIME above $6,721.
    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 are stated in section 215(a) of the Act.

Maximum Benefits Payable to a Family

General

    The 1977 amendments continued the policy of limiting the total 
monthly benefits that a worker's family may receive based on the 
worker's PIA. Those amendments also continued the relationship between 
maximum family benefits and PIAs but changed the method of computing 
the maximum 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 
worker with a determined disability. 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 workers with determined disabilities who are 
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 PIA. It involves computing the sum of four separate 
percentages of portions of the worker's PIA. In 1979, these portions 
were the first $230, the amount between $230 and $332, the amount 
between $332 and $433, and the amount above $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 2023, we multiply each of the 1979 
bend-point amounts by the ratio of the national average wage index for 
2021 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 2021 ($60,575.07) to that for 1977 
($9,779.44) produces the amounts of $1,424.65, $2,056.45, and 
$2,682.06. We round these amounts to $1,425, $2,056, and $2,682. 
Therefore, the portions of the PIAs to be used in 2023 are the first 
$1,425, the amount between $1,425 and $2,056, the amount between $2,056 
and $2,682, and the amount above $2,682.
    So, for the family of a worker who becomes age 62 or dies in 2023 
before age 62, we compute the total benefits payable to them so that it 
does not exceed:
    (a) 150 percent of the first $1,425 of the worker's PIA, plus
    (b) 272 percent of the worker's PIA between $1,425 and $2,056, plus
    (c) 134 percent of the worker's PIA between $2,056 and $2,682, plus
    (d) 175 percent of the worker's PIA above $2,682.
    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 are stated in section 203(a) of the Act.

Quarter of Coverage Amount

General

    The earnings required for a quarter of coverage in 2023 is $1,640. 
A quarter of coverage is the basic unit for determining if a worker is 
insured under the Social Security program. For years before 1978, we 
generally credited an individual with (1) a quarter of coverage for 
each quarter in which they were paid wages of $50 or more or (2) four 
quarters of coverage for every tax year in which they earned $400 or 
more of self-employment income. Beginning in 1978, employers generally 
report wages annually instead of quarterly. With the change to yearly 
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 four 
quarters of coverage for the year. The amendment also provided a 
formula for years after 1978.

Computation

    Under the prescribed formula, the quarter of coverage amount for 
2023 is the larger of: (1) the 1978 amount of $250 multiplied by the 
ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 to that for 1976; or 
(2) the current amount of $1,510. Section 213(d) provides that if the 
resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, we round it 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 2021 ($60,575.07) to that for 
1976 ($9,226.48) produces $1,641.34. We then round this amount to 
$1,640. Because $1,640 exceeds the current amount of $1,510, the 
quarter of coverage amount is $1,640 for 2023.

Old-Law Contribution and Benefit Base

General

    The old-law contribution and benefit base for 2023 is $118,800. 
This base would have been effective under the Act without the enactment 
of the 1977 amendments.
    The old-law contribution and benefit base is used by:
    (a) the Railroad Retirement program to determine certain tax 
liabilities and tier II benefits payable under that program to 
supplement the tier I payments that 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 (section 230(d) of the Act),
    (c) Social Security to determine a year of coverage in computing 
the special minimum benefit, as described earlier, and

[[Page 64301]]

    (d) Social Security to compute benefits for people who are also 
eligible and receiving pensions based on employment not covered under 
section 210 of the Act. We credit a year of coverage, for this purpose 
only, for each year in which earnings equal or exceed 25 percent of the 
old-law base.

Computation

    The old-law contribution and benefit base is the larger of: (1) the 
1994 old-law base ($45,000) multiplied by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2021 to that for 1992; or (2) the current old-
law base ($109,200). If the resulting amount is not a multiple of $300, 
we round it to the nearest multiple of $300.

Old-Law Contribution and Benefit Base Amount

    Multiplying the 1994 old-law contribution and benefit base 
($45,000) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 
($60,575.07) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $118,850.15. We 
round this amount to $118,800. Because $118,800 exceeds the current 
amount of $109,200, the old-law contribution and benefit base is 
$118,800 for 2023.

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 child with a determined 
disability, be unable to engage in SGA. A person who is earning more 
than a certain monthly amount is ordinarily considered to be engaging 
in SGA. The monthly earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of 
a person's disability. Section 223(d)(4)(A) of the Act specifies the 
SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals under title II while our 
regulations (20 CFR 404.1574 and 416.974) specify the SGA amount for 
non-blind individuals with a determined disability.

Computation

    The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals under 
title II for 2023 is the larger of: (1) the amount for 1994 multiplied 
by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 to that for 
1992; or (2) the amount for 2022. The monthly SGA amount for non-blind 
individuals with a determined disability for 2023 is the larger of: (1) 
the amount for 2000 multiplied by the ratio of the national average 
wage index for 2021 to that for 1998; or (2) the amount for 2022. In 
either case, if the resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, we round 
it 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 
2021 ($60,575.07) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $2,456.24. We 
then round this amount to $2,460. Because $2,460 exceeds the current 
amount of $2,260, the monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind 
individuals is $2,460 for 2023.

SGA Amount for Non-Blind Individuals Who Have a Determined Disability

    Multiplying the 2000 monthly SGA amount for non-blind individuals 
with a determined disability ($700) by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2021 ($60,575.07) to that for 1998 ($28,861.44) 
produces $1,469.18. We then round this amount to $1,470. Because $1,470 
exceeds the current amount of $1,350, the monthly SGA amount for non-
blind individuals with a determined disability is $1,470 for 2023.

Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold

General

    During a trial work period of 9 months in a rolling 60-month 
period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may 
test their ability to work and still receive monthly benefit payments. 
To be considered a trial work period month, earnings must be over a 
certain level. In 2023, any month in which earnings exceed $1,050 is 
considered a month of services for an individual's trial work period.

Computation

    The method used to determine the new amount is set forth in our 
regulations at 20 CFR 404.1592(b). Monthly earnings in 2023, used to 
determine whether a month is part of a trial work period, is the larger 
of: (1) the amount for 2001 ($530) multiplied by the ratio of the 
national average wage index for 2021 to that for 1999; or (2) the 
amount for 2022. If the resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, we 
round it to the nearest multiple of $10.

Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold Amount

    Multiplying the 2001 monthly earnings threshold ($530) by the ratio 
of the national average wage index for 2021 ($60,575.07) to that for 
1999 ($30,469.84) produces $1,053.66. We then round this amount to 
$1,050. Because $1,050 exceeds the current amount of $970, the monthly 
earnings threshold is $1,050 for 2023.

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 2023, this threshold is $2,600. 
Section 3121(x) of the Internal Revenue Code provides the formula for 
increasing the threshold.

Computation

    Under the formula, the domestic employee coverage threshold for 
2023 is equal to the 1995 amount of $1,000 multiplied by the ratio of 
the national average wage index for 2021 to that for 1993. If the 
resulting amount is not a multiple of $100, we round it to the next 
lower multiple of $100.

Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold Amount

    Multiplying the 1995 domestic employee coverage threshold ($1,000) 
by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 ($60,575.07) 
to that for 1993 ($23,132.67) produces $2,618.59. We then round this 
amount to $2,600. Therefore, the domestic employee coverage threshold 
amount is $2,600 for 2023.

Election Official and Election Worker Coverage Threshold

General

    The minimum amount an election official and election worker must 
earn so the earnings are covered under Social Security or Medicare is 
the election official and election worker coverage threshold. For 2023, 
this threshold is $2,200. Section 218(c)(8)(B) of the Act provides the 
formula for increasing the threshold.

Computation

    Under the formula, the election official and election worker 
coverage threshold for 2023 is equal to the 1999 amount of $1,000 
multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 to 
that for 1997. If the amount we determine is not a multiple of $100, we 
round it to the nearest multiple of $100.

Election Official and Election Worker Coverage Threshold Amount

    Multiplying the 1999 coverage threshold amount ($1,000) by the 
ratio of the national average wage index for 2021 ($60,575.07) to that 
for 1997 ($27,426.00) produces $2,208.67. We then round this amount to 
$2,200. Therefore, the election official and election worker coverage 
threshold amount is $2,200 for 2023.


[[Page 64302]]


(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)

    The Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, 
Kilolo Kijakazi, Ph.D., M.S.W., having reviewed and approved this 
document, is delegating the authority to electronically sign this 
document to William P. Gibson, who is a Federal Register Liaison for 
SSA, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register.

William P. Gibson,
Federal Register Liaison, Office of Legislation and Congressional 
Affairs, Social Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-23073 Filed 10-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P