These are Social Security’s tables showing all of the major adjustments for 2009, from the Social Security Administration.

Tax Rate 2008! 2009
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.!

 

Maximum Taxable Earnings: 2008 2009
Social Security (OASDI only) $102,000 $106,800
Medicare (HI only) No Limit

 

Quarter of Coverage: 2008 2009
Earnings needed to earn one Social Security credit $1,050 $1,090

Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts:

2008

2009

Under full retirement age
NOTE: One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit.

$13,560/yr.
($1,130/mo.)

$14,160/yr.
! ($1,180/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.

$36,120/yr.
($3,010/mo.)

$37,680/yr.
($3,140/mo.)

There is no limit on earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age. !

Social Security Disability Thresholds: 2008 2009
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
No! n-Blind $ 940/mo. $ 980/mo.
Blind $1,570/mo. $1,640/mo.
Trial Work Period (TWP) $ 670/mo. $ 700/mo.

!

Maximum Social Security Benefit:
Worker Retiring at Full Retirement Age
2008 2009
$2,185/mo. $2,323/mo.

SSI Federal Payment Standard: 2008 2009
Individual $ 637/mo. $ 674/mo.
Couple $ 956/mo.! $1,011/mo.< /div>

 

SSI Resources Limits: 2008 2009
Individual $2,000 $2,000
Couple $3,000 $3,000

 

SSI Student Exclusion: 2008 2009
Monthly Limit $1,550 $1,640
!

Annual Limit

$6,240 $6,600

 

Estimated Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Payable in January 2009: Before
5.8% COLA
After
5.8% COLA
All Retired Workers $1,090

 

$1,153
Aged Couple, Both Receiving Benefits $1,773 $1,876
Widowed Mother and Two Children $2,268 $2,399
Aged Widow(er) Alone $1,051! $1,112
Disabled Worker, Spouse and One or More Children $1,695 $1,793
All Disabled Workers