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OASDI and SSI Program Rates & Limits, 2008

(released October 2007)

This publication was discontinued after the 2020 edition. SSA's Press Office still publishes current rates and limits. For historical program rates and limits, see the Program Provisions section of our Annual Statistical Supplement.

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Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) 2008
Tax Rates for Employers and Employees, Each a (percent)  
Social Security  
Old-Age and Survivors Insurance 5.30
Disability Insurance 0.90
Subtotal, Social Security 6.20
Medicare (Hospital Insurance) 1.45
Total 7.65
Maximum Taxable Earnings (dollars)  
Social Security 102,000
Medicare (Hospital Insurance) No limit
Earnings Required for Work Credits (dollars)  
One Work Credit (One Quarter of Coverage) 1,050
Maximum of Four Credits a Year 4,200
Earnings Test Annual Exempt Amount (dollars)  
Under Full Retirement Age for Entire Year 13,560
For Months Before Reaching Full Retirement Age in Given Year 36,120
Beginning with Month Reaching Full Retirement Age No limit
Maximum Monthly Social Security Benefit for Workers Retiring at Full Retirement Age (dollars) 2,185
Full Retirement Age 66
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (percent) 2.3
a. Self-employed persons pay a total of 15.3 percent—10.6 percent for OASI, 1.8 percent for DI, and 2.9 percent for Medicare.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 2008
Monthly Federal Payment Standard (dollars)  
Individual 637
Couple 956
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (percent) 2.3
Resource Limits (dollars)  
Individual 2,000
Couple 3,000
Monthly Income Exclusions (dollars)  
Earned Income a 65
Unearned Income 20
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Level for the Nonblind Disabled (dollars) 940
a. The earned income exclusion consists of the first $65 of monthly earnings, plus one-half of remaining earnings.