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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Social Security Announces 1.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2013

The Social Security Administration announced today that monthly benefits for 62 million Americans will increase 1.7 percent in 2013.

The 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin in January 2013 with benefits that more than 56 million Social Security beneficiaries receive.  Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2012.

Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $113,700 from $110,100.  Of the estimated 163 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2013, nearly 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.

To read the full press release, click here.

Other important 2013 Social Security information follow:

Tax Rate:
2012
2013
Employee
7.65%*
7.65%
Self-Employed
15.30%*
15.30%
NOTE:  The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social Security and Medicare.  The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20% on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below).  The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.45% on all earnings.
* The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 reduced the Social Security payroll tax rate by 2% on the portion of the tax paid by the worker through the end of February 2012.  The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 extended the reduction through the end of 2012.  Under current law, this temporary reduction expires at the end of December 2012.

Maximum Taxable Earnings:
2012
2013
Social Security (OASDI only)
$110,100
$113,700
Medicare (HI only)
No Limit

Quarter of Coverage:
2012
2013
Earnings needed to earn one Social Security Credit
$1,130
$1,160

Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts:
2012
2013
Under full retirement age

NOTE: One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit.
$14,640/yr.
($1,220/mo.)
$15,120/yr.
($1,260/mo.)
The year an individual reaches full retirement age

NOTE: Applies only to earnings for months prior to attaining full retirement age. One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $3 in earnings above the limit.

There is no limit on earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age.
$38,880/yr.
($3,240/mo.)
$40,080/yr.
($3,340/mo.)

Social Security Disability Thresholds:
2012
2013
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
     Non-Blind
     Blind

$1,010/mo.
$1,690/mo.

$1,040/mo.
$1,740/mo.
Trial Work Period (TWP)
$720/mo.
$750/mo.

Maximum Social Security Benefit: Worker Retiring at Full Retirement Age:
2012
2013

$2,513/mo.
$2,533/mo.

SSI Federal Payment Standard:
2012
2013
Individual
$698/mo.
$710/mo.
Couple
$1,048/mo.
$1,066/mo.

SSI Resources Limits:
2012
2013
Individual
$2,000
$2,000
Couple
$3,000
$3,000

SSI Student Exclusion:
2012
2013
Monthly limit
$1,700
$1,730
Annual limit
$6,840
$6,960

Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2013:
Before
1.7% COLA
After
1.7% COLA
All Retired Workers
$1,240
$1,261
Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits
$2,014
$2,048
Widowed Mother and Two Children
$2,549
$2,592
Aged Widow(er) Alone
$1,194
$1,214
Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children
$1,887
$1,919
All Disabled Workers
$1,113
$1,1

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