The following table lists the maximum amount of wages that can be credited to your Social Security record.
|
Year |
Maximum Earnings |
Year |
Maximum Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2011 |
$106,800 |
||
|
2010 |
$106,800 |
1986 |
$42,000 |
|
2009 |
$106,800 |
1985 |
$39,600 |
|
2008 |
$102,000 |
1984 |
$37,800 |
|
2007 |
$97,500 |
1983 |
$35,700 |
|
2006 |
$94,200 |
1982 |
$32,400 |
|
2005 |
$90,000 |
1981 |
$29,700 |
|
2004 |
$87,900 |
1980 |
$25,900 |
|
2003 |
$87,000 |
1979 |
$22,900 |
|
2002 |
$84,900 |
1978 |
$17,700 |
|
2001 |
$80,400 |
1977 |
$16,500 |
|
2000 |
$76,200 |
1976 |
$15,300 |
|
1999 |
$72,600 |
1975 |
$14,100 |
|
1998 |
$68,400 |
1974 |
$13,200 |
|
1997 |
$65,400 |
1973 |
$10,800 |
|
1996 |
$62,700 |
1972 |
$9,000 |
|
1995 |
$61,200 |
1968-1971 |
$7,800/year |
|
1994 |
$60,600 |
1967 |
$6,600 |
|
1993 |
$57,600 |
1966 |
$6,600 |
|
1992 |
$55,500 |
1959-1965 |
$4,800/year |
|
1991 |
$53,400 |
1955-1958 |
$4,200/year |
|
1990 |
$51,300 |
1951-1954 |
$3,600/year |
|
1989 |
$48,000 |
1940-1950 |
$3,000/year |
|
1988 |
$45,000 |
1937-1939 |
$3,000 per employer/year |
|
1987 |
$43,800 |
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: Aug. 8, 2011