Overview
- Benefits rise 2.8% starting January 1, lifting the average monthly payment from $2,015 to $2,071.
- The maximum benefit for those who earned at the taxable maximum and claim at 70 increases to $5,251 per month.
- Working beneficiaries face the earnings test: $1 withheld for every $2 over $24,480 if under full retirement age, and $1 for every $3 over $65,160 in the year of reaching it.
- Full retirement age remains 66 for people born 1943–1954 and 67 for people born in 1960 or later, affecting the timing of unreduced benefits.
- Disability Substantial Gainful Activity thresholds rise to $1,690 per month for non‑blind beneficiaries and $2,830 for blind beneficiaries, while the hold‑harmless rule may limit Part B premium increases only for eligible recipients.