Tuesday, October 23, 2012

2013 Social Security Changes

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2013.htm

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA):
Based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2011 through the third quarter of 2012, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 1.7 percent COLA for 2013. Other important 2013 Social Security information is as follows:
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) N o   L i m i t
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 $1,132