1301.Maximum Earnings Creditable in any One Year

1301.1What is the maximum amount of wages that can be credited to your record?

The following table lists the maximum amount of wages that can be credited to your Social Security record.

Year

Maximum Earnings

Year

Maximum Earnings

2013

$113,700

1988

$45,000

2012

$110,100

1987

$43,800

2011

$106,800

1986

$42,000

2010

$106,800

1985

$39,600

2009

$106,800

1984

$37,800

2008

$102,000

1983

$35,700

2007

$97,500

1982

$32,400

2006

$94,200

1981

$29,700

2005

$90,000

1980

$25,900

2004

$87,900

1979

$22,900

2003

$87,000

1978

$17,700

2002

$84,900

1977

$16,500

2001

$80,400

1976

$15,300

2000

$76,200

1975

$14,100

1999

$72,600

1974

$13,200

1998

$68,400

1973

$10,800

1997

$65,400

1972

$9,000

1996

$62,700

1968-1971

$7,800/year

1995

$61,200

1967

$6,600

1994

$60,600

1966

$6,600

1993

$57,600

1959-1965

$4,800/year

1992

$55,500

1955-1958

$4,200/year

1991

$53,400

1951-1954

$3,600/year

1990

$51,300

1940-1950

$3,000/year

1989

$48,000

1937-1939

$3,000 per employer/year

1301.2How is the maximum wage amount increased each year?

For the years after 1981, the maximum wage amount is usually increased by Congress. If Congress does not increase the maximum amount, it is automatically increased in multiples of $300 if there is a cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits. The increased amount is officially published in the Federal Register on or before November 1 of the year before it goes into effect.

Last Revised: Feb. 11, 2013