Every Social Security number that changes in 2027
Besides the COLA, SSA updates a set of limits every year. It publishes the 2027 values on the same day as the COLA, October 14, 2026. Here are the 2026 figures and where each 2027 figure stands.
| What | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings limit before full retirement age ($1 withheld for every $2 above) | $24,480 source | Not announced yet |
| Earnings limit in the year you reach full retirement age ($1 for every $3 above) | $65,160 source | Not announced yet |
| Maximum earnings taxed for Social Security | $184,500 source | Not announced yet |
| Earnings needed for one work credit | $1,890 source | Not announced yet |
| Disability earnings limit (SGA), non-blind, per month | $1,690 source | Not announced yet |
| Disability earnings limit (SGA), blind, per month | $2,830 source | Not announced yet |
| Trial work period month | $1,210 source | Not announced yet |
| SSI federal payment, individual, per month | $994 source | Not announced yet |
| SSI federal payment, couple, per month | $1,491 source | Not announced yet |
| Maximum benefit at full retirement age, per month | $4,152 source | Not announced yet |
| Medicare Part B standard premium, per month | $202.90 source | $209.50 Projection |
| Medicare Part B deductible, per year | $283 source | Not announced yet |
2026 values: SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet and CMS 2026 fact sheet. We add each 2027 value once SSA or CMS publishes it; we don’t guess them.
What these mean
Earnings limits (the “earnings test”)
If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and keep working, SSA holds back $1 of benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. In the year you reach full retirement age, the limit is higher and it’s $1 for every $3, counting only earnings before the month you reach that age. From that month on there’s no limit. Money held back isn’t lost: your benefit is raised at full retirement age to account for it. Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
Maximum taxable earnings
The 6.2% Social Security payroll tax (12.4% for the self-employed) applies only to earnings up to this amount each year. Medicare tax has no cap.
Work credits
You earn one credit for each amount shown, up to four a year. Most people need 40 credits to qualify for retirement benefits.
Disability limits
People on disability benefits can generally earn up to the substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount a month and keep benefits. A month with earnings above the trial work period amount counts toward a nine-month trial period.
Figures last checked against official sources: