Which Social Security rules changed and when they took effect

Social Security updates its rules and payment amounts most years. The changes that matter most to you depend on whether you receive retirement benefits, disability benefits, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Some changes happen automatically — like the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) — while others require you to take action or understand new thresholds that affect your payments.

The Social Security Administration publishes changes in January each year, though some rules shift on other dates. Changes to earnings limits, work incentives, and medical review schedules typically take effect in January. Changes to payment amounts take effect in December of the prior year, so you see them in your January payment. If you receive SSI, changes to resource limits and income thresholds also take effect in January.

To find the exact changes that apply to you, contact Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. You can also create an account at ssa.gov to see your personal record and any changes that affect your specific situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security updates payment amounts, earnings limits, and resource thresholds every January, and you should check whether any change affects your benefits.
  • If you work while receiving benefits, the earnings limit determines whether Social Security reduces your payment — this limit changes yearly.
  • SSI recipients need to know the new resource limit and income threshold each year, because exceeding them can pause or end your payments.
  • You can view your Social Security record and any changes online at ssa.gov, or call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about changes that affect you personally.

Earnings limits if you work while receiving retirement benefits

If you receive Social Security retirement benefits and work, Social Security reduces your payment if your earnings exceed a certain amount. This limit changes every year. For the year 2024, the limit is $23,400 per year if you have not yet reached your full retirement age. If you reach full retirement age during the year, a higher limit applies only to earnings before the month you reach that age.

The reduction works this way: Social Security withholds $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above the limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies, and you receive your full benefit regardless of how much you work. This rule does not apply to unearned income like interest, dividends, or rental payments — only wages and self-employment income count.

If you are unsure whether your job will affect your benefits, report your expected earnings to Social Security before you start work. You can do this by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or in person at your local office. Social Security will tell you exactly how much you can earn without a reduction.

Resource and income limits for SSI recipients

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has strict limits on how much money and property you can own and still receive payments. These limits change yearly. The resource limit is the total value of things you own — cash, bank accounts, vehicles, property — that count toward the limit. The income limit is the total money you receive each month from work, benefits, or other sources.

For 2024, the resource limit for an individual is $2,000, and for a couple it is $3,000. These limits have not changed in many years, but the income limit does change. If your resources or income exceed these amounts, SSI will reduce or stop your payment. Some resources do not count — your home, one vehicle, personal items, and certain work-related items are excluded — but you must report all resources to Social Security to be sure.

If you receive SSI and your income or resources change, report the change to Social Security within 10 days. You can report changes online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person. Failing to report changes can result in an overpayment that Social Security will ask you to repay.

Medical review schedules for disability beneficiaries

If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI based on disability, Social Security periodically reviews your case to confirm you still meet the medical requirements. The frequency of these reviews depends on your condition and how likely it is to improve. Some people have reviews every three years, others every seven years, and some have reviews only if their condition is expected to improve significantly.

When Social Security schedules your review, they send you a notice in the mail. The notice tells you what medical records to submit and the deadline for submitting them. You do not have to visit a doctor for the review — you submit existing medical records from your own doctors. If you do not respond by the deadline, Social Security may stop your benefits until you do.

If your medical condition has worsened or you have new conditions, include that information in your submission. If your condition has improved, Social Security may reduce your benefits or end them. You have the right to request a hearing if you disagree with the outcome of a review.

Work incentives and how they changed

Social Security offers work incentives designed to help people on disability benefits return to work without immediately losing all their payments. These incentives include the ability to work and earn money while still receiving some benefits, extended Medicare coverage, and plans to gradually reduce benefits as earnings increase. The rules for these incentives are complex and change periodically.

One common work incentive is the Trial Work Period, which allows you to work and earn any amount for nine months without affecting your benefits. After the Trial Work Period ends, Social Security uses a different calculation to determine your payment based on your earnings. Another incentive is Extended may be able to access, which continues your benefits for 36 months after the Trial Work Period ends, even if your earnings would normally end your benefits.

To use these incentives, you must report your work and earnings to Social Security. Many people miss out on these programs because they do not know about them or do not report their work. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a work incentives specialist, or visit your local office. You can also find a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project in your state at wipa.org — these are free services that help you understand how work affects your benefits.

Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and payment increases

Every year, Social Security increases benefit payments by a percentage called the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This increase is meant to help benefits keep pace with inflation. The COLA is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index and is announced in October for the following year. The increase takes effect in January when you receive your first payment of the new year.

The COLA percentage varies from year to year depending on inflation. In recent years, COLA has ranged from 0% (in years with no inflation) to over 8% (in years with high inflation). Your payment amount increases by the same percentage as everyone else's, so the dollar amount of your increase depends on how much you currently receive. If you receive both Social Security and SSI, you may receive two separate increases.

You do not need to do anything to receive the COLA increase — it happens automatically. Social Security announces the new COLA in October, and you can find it on ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

How to find out which changes affect you

The easiest way to learn about changes that affect your specific benefits is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you can see your benefit amount, your earnings record, and any notices Social Security has sent you. You can also see your current earnings limit if you work, and your resource and income limits if you receive SSI.

If you do not use the internet or prefer to speak with someone, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You can ask about any specific change and how it affects your payment. Have your Social Security number ready when you call. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person — find the address at ssa.gov or by calling the number above.

If you receive a notice from Social Security in the mail about a change or a review, read it carefully and follow the instructions. If you do not understand the notice, call the number on it or visit your local office. Do not ignore notices — they often have deadlines, and missing a deadline can affect your benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Social Security payment go up this year?

Yes, if you receive Social Security benefits, your payment increases by the annual COLA in January. The percentage varies each year based on inflation. Social Security announces the COLA in October for the following year. You can find the current COLA on ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

What happens if I earn more than the earnings limit while receiving retirement benefits?

Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. This continues until you reach your full retirement age, at which point the earnings limit no longer applies. Report your expected earnings to Social Security before you start work so they can tell you exactly how much your benefit will be reduced.

Do I have to report changes to my income or resources if I receive SSI?

Yes, you must report changes within 10 days. If you do not report changes and your income or resources exceed the limits, Social Security may overpay you and ask you to repay the money. You can report changes online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at your local office.

What should I do if I receive a medical review notice?

Read the notice carefully and submit the medical records it requests by the deadline. You do not need to visit a doctor — submit records from your own doctors. If you do not respond by the deadline, Social Security may stop your benefits. If you disagree with the outcome, you have the right to request a hearing.

How do I learn about work incentives if I receive disability benefits?

Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a work incentives specialist. You can also find a free Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project in your state at wipa.org. These services explain how work and earnings affect your benefits and help you plan your return to work.