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