81_FR_75062 81 FR 74854 - Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2017

81 FR 74854 - Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2017

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 208 (October 27, 2016)

Page Range74854-74859
FR Document2016-26026

Under title II of the Social Security Act (Act), there will be a 0.3 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits effective December 2016. In addition, the national average wage index for 2015 is $48,098.63. The cost-of-living increase and national average wage index affect other program parameters as described below.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74854-74859]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26026]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2016-0050]


Cost-of-Living Increase and Other Determinations for 2017

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under title II of the Social Security Act (Act), there will be 
a 0.3 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits 
effective December 2016. In addition, the national average wage index 
for 2015 is $48,098.63. The cost-of-living increase and national 
average wage index affect other program parameters as described below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan C. Kunkel, Office of the Chief 
Actuary, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, MD 21235, (410) 965-3000. Information relating to this 
announcement is available on our Internet site at 
www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/cola/index.html. For information on 
eligibility or claiming benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-
0778), or visit our Internet site at www.socialsecurity.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because of the 0.3 percent cost-of-living 
increase, the following items will increase for 2017:
    (1) The maximum Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly 
benefit amounts for 2017 under title XVI of the Act will be $735 for an 
eligible individual, $1,103 for an eligible individual with an eligible 
spouse, and $368 for an essential person;
    (2) The special benefit amount under title VIII of the Act for 
certain World War II veterans will be $551.25 for 2017;
    (3) The student earned income exclusion under title XVI of the Act 
will be $1,790 per month in 2017, but not more than $7,200 for all of 
2017;
    (4) The dollar fee limit for services performed as a representative 
payee remains at $41 per month ($78 per month in the case of a 
beneficiary who is disabled and has an alcoholism or drug addiction 
condition that leaves him or her incapable of managing benefits) in 
2017; and
    (5) The dollar limit on the administrative-cost fee assessment 
charged to an appointed representative such as an attorney, agent, or 
other person who represents claimants remains at $91 beginning in 
December 2016.
    The national average wage index for 2015 is $48,098.63. This index 
affects the following amounts:
    (1) The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) 
contribution and benefit base will be $127,200 for remuneration paid in 
2017 and self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in 
2017;
    (2) The monthly exempt amounts under the OASDI retirement earnings 
test for taxable years ending in calendar year 2017 will be $1,410 for 
beneficiaries who will attain their Normal Retirement Age (NRA) 
(defined in the Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts section below) 
after 2017 and $3,740 for those who attain NRA in 2017;
    (3) The dollar amounts (``bend points'') used in the primary 
insurance amount (PIA) benefit formula for workers who become eligible 
for benefits, or who die before becoming eligible, in 2017 will be $885 
and $5,336;
    (4) The bend points used in the formula for computing maximum 
family benefits for workers who become eligible for benefits, or who 
die before

[[Page 74855]]

becoming eligible, in 2017 will be $1,131, $1,633, and $2,130;
    (5) The taxable earnings a person must have to be credited with a 
quarter of coverage in 2017 will be $1,300;
    (6) The ``old-law'' contribution and benefit base under title II of 
the Act will be $94,500 for 2017;
    (7) The monthly amount deemed to constitute substantial gainful 
activity (SGA) for statutorily blind persons in 2017 will be $1,950. 
The corresponding amount for non-blind disabled persons will be $1,170;
    (8) The earnings threshold establishing a month as a part of a 
trial work period will be $840 for 2017; and
    (9) Coverage thresholds for 2017 will be $2,000 for domestic 
workers and $1,800 for election officials and election workers.

According to section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act, we must publish the 
benefit increase percentage and the revised table of ``special 
minimum'' benefits within 45 days after the close of the third calendar 
quarter of 2016. We must also publish the following by November 1: The 
national average wage index for 2015 (215(a)(1)(D)), the OASDI fund 
ratio for 2016 (section 215(i)(2)(C)(ii)), the OASDI contribution and 
benefit base for 2017 (section 230(a)), the earnings required to be 
credited with a quarter of coverage in 2017 (section 213(d)(2)), the 
monthly exempt amounts under the Social Security retirement earnings 
test for 2017 (section 203(f)(8)(A)), the formula for computing a PIA 
for workers who first become eligible for benefits or die in 2017 
(section 215(a)(1)(D)), and the formula for computing the maximum 
benefits payable to the family of a worker who first becomes eligible 
for old-age benefits or dies in 2017 (section 203(a)(2)(C)).

Cost-of-Living Increases

General

    The cost-of-living increase is 0.3 percent for benefits under 
titles II and XVI of the Act. Under title II, OASDI benefits will 
increase by 0.3 percent for individuals eligible for December 2016 
benefits, payable in January 2017. We base this increase on the 
authority contained in section 215(i) of the Act.
    Pursuant to section 1617 of the Act, Federal SSI payment levels 
will also increase by 0.3 percent effective for payments made for 
January 2017 but paid on December 30, 2016.

Computation

    Computation of the cost-of-living increase is based on an increase 
in a Consumer Price Index produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
At the time the Act was amended to provide cost-of-living increases, 
only one Consumer Price Index existed, namely the Consumer Price Index 
for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Although the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics has since developed other consumer price indices, we 
follow precedent by continuing to use the Consumer Price Index for 
Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. We refer to this index in the 
following paragraphs as the CPI.
    Section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Act defines a ``computation quarter'' 
to be a third calendar quarter in which the average CPI exceeded the 
average CPI in the previous computation quarter. The last cost-of-
living increase, effective for those eligible to receive title II 
benefits for December 2014, was based on the CPI increase from the 
third quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2014. Therefore, the last 
computation quarter is the third quarter of 2014. The law states that a 
cost-of-living increase for benefits is determined based on the 
percentage increase, if any, in the CPI from the last computation 
quarter to the third quarter of the current year. Therefore, we compute 
the increase in the CPI from the third quarter of 2014 to the third 
quarter of 2016.
    Section 215(i)(1) of the Act states that the CPI for a cost-of-
living computation quarter is the arithmetic mean of this index for the 
3 months in that quarter. In accordance with 20 CFR 404.275, we round 
the arithmetic mean, if necessary, to the nearest 0.001. The CPI for 
each month in the quarter ending September 30, 2014, the last 
computation quarter, is: For July 2014, 234.525; for August 2014, 
234.030; and for September 2014, 234.170. The arithmetic mean for the 
calendar quarter ending September 30, 2014 is 234.242. The CPI for each 
month in the quarter ending September 30, 2016, is: For July 2016, 
234.771; for August 2016, 234.904; and for September 2016, 235.495. The 
arithmetic mean for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2016 is 
235.057. The CPI for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2016, 
exceeds that for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2014 by 0.3 
percent (rounded to the nearest 0.1). Therefore, beginning December 
2016 a cost-of-living benefit increase of 0.3 percent is effective for 
benefits under title II of the Act.
    Section 215(i) also specifies that a benefit increase under title 
II, effective for December of any year, will be limited to the increase 
in the national average wage index for the prior year if the OASDI fund 
ratio for that year is below 20.0 percent. The OASDI fund ratio for a 
year is the ratio of the combined assets of the OASDI Trust Funds at 
the beginning of that year to the combined expenditures of these funds 
during that year. For 2016, the OASDI fund ratio is assets of 
$2,812,510 million divided by estimated expenditures of $924,944 
million, or 304.1 percent. Because the 304.1 percent OASDI fund ratio 
exceeds 20.0 percent, the benefit increase for December 2016 is not 
limited.

Program Amounts That Change Based on the Cost-of-Living Increase

    The following program amounts change based on the cost-of-living 
increase: (1) Title II benefits; (2) title XVI benefits; (3) title VIII 
benefits; (4) the student earned income exclusion; (5) the fee for 
services performed by a representative payee; and (6) the appointed 
representative fee assessment.

Title II Benefit Amounts

    In accordance with section 215(i) of the Act, for workers and 
family members for whom eligibility for benefits (that is, the worker's 
attainment of age 62, or disability or death before age 62) occurred 
before 2017, benefits will increase by 0.3 percent beginning with 
benefits for December 2016, which are payable in January 2017. For 
those first eligible after 2016, the 0.3 percent increase will not 
apply.
    For eligibility after 1978, we determine benefits using a formula 
provided by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-216), as 
described later in this notice.
    For eligibility before 1979, we determine benefits by using a 
benefit table. The table is available on the Internet at 
www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/ProgData/tableForm.html or by writing to: 
Social Security Administration, Office of Public Inquiries, Windsor 
Park Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235.
    Section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act requires that, when we determine an 
increase in Social Security benefits, we will publish in the Federal 
Register a revision of the range of the PIAs and maximum family 
benefits based on the dollar amount and other provisions described in 
section 215(a)(1)(C)(i). We refer to these benefits as ``special 
minimum'' benefits. These benefits are payable to certain individuals 
with long periods of low earnings. To qualify for these benefits, an 
individual must have at least 11 years of coverage. To earn a year of 
coverage for purposes of the special minimum benefit, a person must 
earn at least a certain proportion of the old-law contribution and 
benefit base (described later in this notice). For years before 1991, 
the proportion is 25

[[Page 74856]]

percent; for years after 1990, it is 15 percent. In accordance with 
section 215(a)(1)(C)(i), the table below shows the revised range of 
PIAs and maximum family benefit amounts after the 0.3 percent benefit 
increase.

  Special Minimum PIAs and Maximum Family Benefits Payable for December
                                  2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Maximum
          Number of years of coverage               PIA         family
                                                               benefit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11............................................       $40.00       $60.90
12............................................        81.70       123.70
13............................................       123.50       186.40
14............................................       165.00       248.70
15............................................       206.40       310.90
16............................................       248.40       373.80
17............................................       290.00       436.70
18............................................       331.70       498.90
19............................................       373.40       561.50
20............................................       415.20       623.60
21............................................       456.90       686.70
22............................................       498.30       749.10
23............................................       540.70       812.60
24............................................       582.30       874.60
25............................................       623.60       936.60
26............................................       666.00     1,000.10
27............................................       707.20     1,062.50
28............................................       748.90     1,124.80
29............................................       790.60     1,187.80
30............................................       832.20     1,249.70
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title XVI Benefit Amounts

    In accordance with section 1617 of the Act, maximum Federal SSI 
benefit amounts for the aged, blind, and disabled will increase by 0.3 
percent effective January 2017. For 2016, we derived the monthly 
benefit amounts for an eligible individual, an eligible individual with 
an eligible spouse, and for an essential person--$733, $1,100, and 
$367, respectively--from yearly, unrounded Federal SSI benefit amounts 
of $8,804.43, $13,205.18, and $4,412.31. For 2017, these yearly 
unrounded amounts respectively increase by 0.3 percent to $8,830.84, 
$13,244.80, and $4,425.55. We must round each of these resulting 
amounts, when not a multiple of $12, to the next lower multiple of $12. 
Therefore, the annual amounts, effective for 2017, are $8,820, $13,236, 
and $4,416. Dividing the yearly amounts by 12 gives the respective 
monthly amounts for 2017--$735, $1,103, and $368. For an eligible 
individual with an eligible spouse, we equally divide the amount 
payable between the two spouses.

Title VIII Benefit Amount

    Title VIII of the Act provides for special benefits to certain 
World War II veterans who reside outside the United States. Section 805 
of the Act provides that ``[t]he benefit under this title payable to a 
qualified individual for any month shall be in an amount equal to 75 
percent of the Federal benefit rate [the maximum amount for an eligible 
individual] under title XVI for the month, reduced by the amount of the 
qualified individual's benefit income for the month.'' Therefore, the 
monthly benefit for 2017 under this provision is 75 percent of $735, or 
$551.25.

Student Earned Income Exclusion

    A blind or disabled child who is a student regularly attending 
school, college, university, or a course of vocational or technical 
training can have limited earnings that do not count against his or her 
SSI benefits. The maximum amount of such income that we may exclude in 
2016 is $1,780 per month, but not more than $7,180 in all of 2016. 
These amounts increase based on a formula set forth in regulation 20 
CFR 416.1112.
    To compute each of the monthly and yearly maximum amounts for 2017, 
we increase the unrounded amount for 2016 by the latest cost-of-living 
increase. If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we 
round it to the nearest multiple of $10. The unrounded monthly amount 
for 2016 is $1,781.37. We increase this amount by 0.3 percent to 
$1,786.71, which we then round to $1,790. Similarly, we increase the 
unrounded yearly amount for 2016, $7,180.65, by 0.3 percent to 
$7,202.19 and round this to $7,200. Therefore, the maximum amount of 
the income exclusion applicable to a student in 2017 is $1,790 per 
month but not more than $7,200 in all of 2017.

Fee for Services Performed as a Representative Payee

    Sections 205(j)(4)(A)(i) and 1631(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Act permit a 
qualified organization to collect a monthly fee from a beneficiary for 
expenses incurred in providing services as the beneficiary's 
representative payee. In 2016, the fee is limited to the lesser of: (1) 
10 percent of the monthly benefit involved; or (2) $41 each month ($78 
each month when the beneficiary is entitled to disability benefits and 
has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition that makes the individual 
incapable of managing such benefits). The dollar fee limits are subject 
to increase by the cost-of-living increase, with the resulting amounts 
rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount. Due to the rounding 
provision, the 0.3 percent COLA effective for December 2016 has no 
effect on the fee limits, so both the current $41 amount and the 
current $78 amount remain the same for 2017.

Appointed Representative Fee Assessment

    Under sections 206(d) and 1631(d) of the Act, whenever we pay a fee 
to a representative such as an attorney, agent, or other person who 
represents claimants, we must impose on the representative an 
assessment to cover administrative costs. The assessment is no more 
than 6.3 percent of the representative's authorized fee or, if lower, a 
dollar amount that is subject to increase by the cost-of-living 
increase. We derive the dollar limit for December 2016 by increasing 
the unrounded limit for December 2015, $91.20, by 0.3 percent, which is 
$91.47. We then round $91.47 to the next lower multiple of $1. The 
dollar limit effective for December 2016 is, therefore, $91, the same 
as the current amount.

National Average Wage Index for 2015

Computation

    We determined the national average wage index for calendar year 
2015 based on the 2014 national average wage index of $46,481.52, 
published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2015 (80 FR 66963), 
and the percentage increase in average wages from 2014 to 2015, as 
measured by annual wage data. We tabulate the annual wage data, 
including contributions to deferred compensation plans, as required by 
section 209(k) of the Act. The average amounts of wages calculated from 
these data were $44,569.20 for 2014 and $46,119.78 for 2015. To 
determine the national average wage index for 2015 at a level 
consistent with the national average wage indexing series for 1951 
through 1977 (published December 29, 1978, at 43 FR 61016), we multiply 
the 2014 national average wage index of $46,481.52 by the percentage 
increase in average wages from 2014 to 2015 (based on SSA-tabulated 
wage data) as follows. We round the result to the nearest cent.

National Average Wage Index Amount

    Multiplying the national average wage index for 2014 ($46,481.52) 
by the ratio of the average wage for 2015 ($46,119.78) to that for 2014 
($44,569.20) produces the 2015 index, $48,098.63. The national average 
wage index for calendar year 2015 is about 3.48 percent higher than the 
2014 index.

Program Amounts That Change Based on the National Average Wage Index

    Under the Act, the following amounts change with annual changes in 
the national average wage index: (1) The OASDI contribution and benefit 
base; (2) the exempt amounts under the retirement earnings test; (3) 
the dollar

[[Page 74857]]

amounts, or bend points, in the PIA formula; (4) the bend points in the 
maximum family benefit formula; (5) the earnings required to credit a 
worker with a quarter of coverage; (6) the old-law contribution and 
benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Act as in effect 
before the 1977 amendments); (7) the substantial gainful activity (SGA) 
amount applicable to statutorily blind individuals; and (8) the 
coverage threshold for election officials and election workers. 
Additionally, under section 3121(x) of the Internal Revenue Code, the 
domestic employee coverage threshold is based on changes in the 
national average wage index.
    Two amounts also increase under regulatory requirements--the SGA 
amount applicable to non-blind disabled persons, and the monthly 
earnings threshold that establishes a month as part of a trial work 
period for disabled beneficiaries.

OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base

General

    The OASDI contribution and benefit base is $127,200 for 
remuneration paid in 2017 and self-employment income earned in taxable 
years beginning in 2017. The OASDI contribution and benefit base serves 
as the maximum annual earnings on which OASDI taxes are paid. It is 
also the maximum annual earnings used in determining a person's OASDI 
benefits.

Computation

    Section 230(b) of the Act provides the formula used to determine 
the OASDI contribution and benefit base. Under the formula, the base 
for 2017 is the larger of: (1) The 1994 base of $60,600 multiplied by 
the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 to that for 1992; 
or (2) the current base ($118,500). If the resulting amount is not a 
multiple of $300, we round it to the nearest multiple of $300.

OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base Amount

    Multiplying the 1994 OASDI contribution and benefit base ($60,600) 
by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63 as 
determined above) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $127,086.27. 
We round this amount to $127,200. Because $127,200 exceeds the current 
base amount of $118,500, the OASDI contribution and benefit base is 
$127,200 for 2017.

Retirement Earnings Test Exempt Amounts

General

    We withhold Social Security benefits when a beneficiary under the 
NRA has earnings over the applicable retirement earnings test exempt 
amount. The NRA is the age when retirement benefits (before rounding) 
are equal to the PIA. The NRA is age 66 for those born in 1943-54, and 
it gradually increases to age 67 for those born in 1960 or later. A 
higher exempt amount applies in the year in which a person attains NRA, 
but only for earnings in months before such attainment. A lower exempt 
amount applies at all other ages below NRA. Section 203(f)(8)(B) of the 
Act provides formulas for determining the monthly exempt amounts. The 
annual exempt amounts are exactly 12 times the monthly amounts.
    For beneficiaries who attain NRA in the year, we withhold $1 in 
benefits for every $3 of earnings over the annual exempt amount for 
months before NRA. For all other beneficiaries under NRA, we withhold 
$1 in benefits for every $2 of earnings over the annual exempt amount.

Computation

    Under the formula that applies to beneficiaries attaining NRA after 
2017, the lower monthly exempt amount for 2017 is the larger of: (1) 
The 1994 monthly exempt amount multiplied by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2015 to that for 1992; or (2) the 2016 monthly 
exempt amount ($1,310). If the resulting amount is not a multiple of 
$10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.
    Under the formula that applies to beneficiaries attaining NRA in 
2017, the higher monthly exempt amount for 2017 is the larger of: (1) 
The 2002 monthly exempt amount multiplied by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2015 to that for 2000; or (2) the 2016 monthly 
exempt amount ($3,490). If the resulting amount is not a multiple of 
$10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.

Lower Exempt Amount

    Multiplying the 1994 retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount 
of $670 by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 
($48,098.63) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $1,405.08. We round 
this to $1,410. Because $1,410 exceeds the current exempt amount of 
$1,310, the lower retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount is 
$1,410 for 2017. The lower annual exempt amount is $16,920 under the 
retirement earnings test.

Higher Exempt Amount

    Multiplying the 2002 retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount 
of $2,500 by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 
($48,098.63) to that for 2000 ($32,154.82) produces $3,739.61. We round 
this to $3,740. Because $3,740 exceeds the current exempt amount of 
$3,490, the higher retirement earnings test monthly exempt amount is 
$3,740 for 2017. The higher annual exempt amount is $44,880 under the 
retirement earnings test.

Primary Insurance Amount Benefit Formula

General

    The Social Security Amendments of 1977 provided a method for 
computing benefits that generally applies when a worker first becomes 
eligible for benefits after 1978. This method uses the worker's average 
indexed monthly earnings (AIME) to compute the PIA. We adjust the 
formula each year to reflect changes in general wage levels, as 
measured by the national average wage index.
    We also adjust, or index, a worker's earnings to reflect the change 
in the general wage levels that occurred during the worker's years of 
employment. Such indexing ensures that a worker's future benefit level 
will reflect the general rise in the standard of living that will occur 
during his or her working lifetime. To compute the AIME, we first 
determine the required number of years of earnings. We then select the 
number of years with the highest indexed earnings, add the indexed 
earnings for those years, and divide the total amount by the total 
number of months in those years. We then round the resulting average 
amount down to the next lower dollar amount. The result is the AIME.

Computing the PIA

    The PIA is the sum of three separate percentages of portions of the 
AIME. In 1979 (the first year the formula was in effect), these 
portions were the first $180, the amount between $180 and $1,085, and 
the amount over $1,085. We call the dollar amounts in the formula 
governing the portions of the AIME the ``bend points'' of the formula. 
Therefore, the bend points for 1979 were $180 and $1,085.
    To obtain the bend points for 2017, we multiply each of the 1979 
bend-point amounts by the ratio of the national average wage index for 
2015 to that average for 1977. We then round these results to the 
nearest dollar. Multiplying the 1979 amounts of $180 and $1,085 by the 
ratio of the national

[[Page 74858]]

average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1977 ($9,779.44) 
produces the amounts of $885.30 and $5,336.40. We round these to $885 
and $5,336. Therefore, the portions of the AIME to be used in 2017 are 
the first $885, the amount between $885 and $5,336, and the amount over 
$5,336.
    Therefore, for individuals who first become eligible for old-age 
insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits in 2017, or who die 
in 2017 before becoming eligible for benefits, their PIA will be the 
sum of:
    (a) 90 percent of the first $885 of their AIME, plus
    (b) 32 percent of their AIME over $885 and through $5,336, plus
    (c) 15 percent of their AIME over $5,336.
    We round this amount to the next lower multiple of $0.10 if it is 
not already a multiple of $0.10. This formula and the rounding 
adjustment are stated in section 215(a) of the Act.

Maximum Benefits Payable to a Family

General

    The 1977 amendments continued the policy of limiting the total 
monthly benefits that a worker's family may receive based on the 
worker's PIA. Those amendments also continued the relationship between 
maximum family benefits and PIAs but changed the method of computing 
the maximum benefits that may be paid to a worker's family. The Social 
Security Disability Amendments of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-265) established a 
formula for computing the maximum benefits payable to the family of a 
disabled worker. This formula applies to the family benefits of workers 
who first become entitled to disability insurance benefits after June 
30, 1980, and who first become eligible for these benefits after 1978. 
For disabled workers initially entitled to disability benefits before 
July 1980 or whose disability began before 1979, we compute the family 
maximum payable the same as the old-age and survivor family maximum.

Computing the Old-Age and Survivor Family Maximum

    The formula used to compute the family maximum is similar to that 
used to compute the PIA. It involves computing the sum of four separate 
percentages of portions of the worker's PIA. In 1979, these portions 
were the first $230, the amount between $230 and $332, the amount 
between $332 and $433, and the amount over $433. We refer to such 
dollar amounts in the formula as the ``bend points'' of the family-
maximum formula.
    To obtain the bend points for 2017, we multiply each of the 1979 
bend-point amounts by the ratio of the national average wage index for 
2015 to that average for 1977. Then we round this amount to the nearest 
dollar. Multiplying the amounts of $230, $332, and $433 by the ratio of 
the national average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1977 
($9,779.44) produces the amounts of $1,131.22, $1,632.89, and 
$2,129.64. We round these amounts to $1,131, $1,633, and $2,130. 
Therefore, the portions of the PIAs to be used in 2017 are the first 
$1,131, the amount between $1,131 and $1,633, the amount between $1,633 
and $2,130, and the amount over $2,130.
    Thus, for the family of a worker who becomes age 62 or dies in 2017 
before age 62, we will compute the total benefits payable to them so 
that it does not exceed:
    (a) 150 percent of the first $1,131 of the worker's PIA, plus (b) 
272 percent of the worker's PIA over $1,131 through $1,633, plus (c) 
134 percent of the worker's PIA over $1,633 through $2,130, plus (d) 
175 percent of the worker's PIA over $2,130.
    We then round this amount to the next lower multiple of $0.10 if it 
is not already a multiple of $0.10. This formula and the rounding 
adjustment are stated in section 203(a) of the Act.

Quarter of Coverage Amount

General

    The earnings required for a quarter of coverage in 2017 is $1,300. 
A quarter of coverage is the basic unit for determining if a worker is 
insured under the Social Security program. For years before 1978, we 
generally credited an individual with a quarter of coverage for each 
quarter in which wages of $50 or more were paid, or with 4 quarters of 
coverage for every taxable year in which $400 or more of self-
employment income was earned. Beginning in 1978, employers generally 
report wages yearly instead of quarterly. With the change to yearly 
reporting, section 352(b) of the Social Security Amendments of 1977 
amended section 213(d) of the Act to provide that a quarter of coverage 
would be credited for each $250 of an individual's total wages and 
self-employment income for calendar year 1978, up to a maximum of 4 
quarters of coverage for the year. The amendment also provided a 
formula for years after 1978.

Computation

    Under the prescribed formula, the quarter of coverage amount for 
2017 is the larger of: (1) The 1978 amount of $250 multiplied by the 
ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 to that for 1976; or 
(2) the current amount of $1,260. Section 213(d) provides that if the 
resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest 
multiple of $10.

Quarter of Coverage Amount

    Multiplying the 1978 quarter of coverage amount ($250) by the ratio 
of the national average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 
1976 ($9,226.48) produces $1,303.28. We then round this amount to 
$1,300. Because $1,300 exceeds the current amount of $1,260, the 
quarter of coverage amount is $1,300 for 2017.

Old-Law Contribution and Benefit Base

General

    The old-law contribution and benefit base for 2017 is $94,500. This 
base would have been effective under the Act without the enactment of 
the 1977 amendments.
    The old-law contribution and benefit base is used by:
    (a) The Railroad Retirement program to determine certain tax 
liabilities and tier II benefits payable under that program to 
supplement the tier I payments that correspond to basic Social Security 
benefits,
    (b) the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to determine the 
maximum amount of pension guaranteed under the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act (section 230(d) of the Act),
    (c) Social Security to determine a year of coverage in computing 
the special minimum benefit, as described earlier, and
    (d) Social Security to determine a year of coverage (acquired 
whenever earnings equal or exceed 25 percent of the old-law base for 
this purpose only) in computing benefits for persons who are also 
eligible to receive pensions based on employment not covered under 
section 210 of the Act.

Computation

    The old-law contribution and benefit base is the larger of: (1) The 
1994 old-law base ($45,000) multiplied by the ratio of the national 
average wage index for 2015 to that for 1992; or (2) the current old-
law base ($88,200). If the resulting amount is not a multiple of $300, 
we round it to the nearest multiple of $300.

Old-Law Contribution and Benefit Base Amount

    Multiplying the 1994 old-law contribution and benefit base 
($45,000) by the ratio of the national average wage

[[Page 74859]]

index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces 
$94,370.99. We round this amount to $94,500. Because $94,500 exceeds 
the current amount of $88,200, the old-law contribution and benefit 
base is $94,500 for 2017.

Substantial Gainful Activity Amounts

General

    A finding of disability under titles II and XVI of the Act requires 
that a person, except for a title XVI disabled child, be unable to 
engage in SGA. A person who is earning more than a certain monthly 
amount is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The monthly 
earnings considered as SGA depends on the nature of a person's 
disability. Section 223(d)(4)(A) of the Act specifies the SGA amount 
for statutorily blind individuals under title II while our regulations 
(20 CFR 404.1574 and 416.974) specify the SGA amount for non-blind 
individuals.

Computation

    The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals under 
title II for 2017 is the larger of: (1) The amount for 1994 multiplied 
by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 to that for 
1992; or (2) the amount for 2016. The monthly SGA amount for non-blind 
disabled individuals for 2017 is the larger of: (1) The amount for 2000 
multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 to 
that for 1998; or (2) the amount for 2016. In either case, if the 
resulting amount is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest 
multiple of $10.

SGA Amount for Statutorily Blind Individuals

    Multiplying the 1994 monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind 
individuals ($930) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 
2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces $1,950.33. We 
then round this amount to $1,950. Because $1,950 exceeds the current 
amount of $1,820, the monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind 
individuals is $1,950 for 2017.

SGA Amount for Non-Blind Disabled Individuals

    Multiplying the 2000 monthly SGA amount for non-blind individuals 
($700) by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 
($48,098.63) to that for 1998 ($28,861.44) produces $1,166.58. We then 
round this amount to $1,170. Because $1,170 exceeds the current amount 
of $1,130, the monthly SGA amount for non-blind disabled individuals is 
$1,170 for 2017.

Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold

General

    During a trial work period of 9 months in a rolling 60-month 
period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may 
test his or her ability to work and still receive monthly benefit 
payments. To be considered a trial work period month, earnings must be 
over a certain level. In 2017, any month in which earnings exceed $840 
is considered a month of services for an individual's trial work 
period.

Computation

    The method used to determine the new amount is set forth in our 
regulations at 20 CFR 404.1592(b). Monthly earnings in 2017, used to 
determine whether a month is part of a trial work period, is the larger 
of: (1) The amount for 2001 ($530) multiplied by the ratio of the 
national average wage index for 2015 to that for 1999; or (2) the 
amount for 2016. If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, 
we round it to the nearest multiple of $10.

Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold Amount

    Multiplying the 2001 monthly earnings threshold ($530) by the ratio 
of the national average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 
1999 ($30,469.84) produces $836.64. We then round this amount to $840. 
Because $840 exceeds the current amount of $810, the monthly earnings 
threshold is $840 for 2017.

Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold

General

    The minimum amount a domestic worker must earn so that such 
earnings are covered under Social Security or Medicare is the domestic 
employee coverage threshold. For 2017, this threshold is $2,000. 
Section 3121(x) of the Internal Revenue Code provides the formula for 
increasing the threshold.

Computation

    Under the formula, the domestic employee coverage threshold for 
2017 is equal to the 1995 amount of $1,000 multiplied by the ratio of 
the national average wage index for 2015 to that for 1993. If the 
resulting amount is not a multiple of $100, we round it to the next 
lower multiple of $100.

Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold Amount

    Multiplying the 1995 domestic employee coverage threshold ($1,000) 
by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) 
to that for 1993 ($23,132.67) produces $2,079.25. We then round this 
amount to $2,000. Therefore, the domestic employee coverage threshold 
amount is $2,000 for 2017.

Election Official and Election Worker Coverage Threshold

General

    The minimum amount an election official and election worker must 
earn so the earnings are covered under Social Security or Medicare is 
the election official and election worker coverage threshold. For 2017, 
this threshold is $1,800. Section 218(c)(8)(B) of the Act provides the 
formula for increasing the threshold.

Computation

    Under the formula, the election official and election worker 
coverage threshold for 2017 is equal to the 1999 amount of $1,000 
multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 to 
that for 1997. If the amount we determine is not a multiple of $100, it 
we round it to the nearest multiple of $100.

Election Official and Election Worker Coverage Threshold Amount

    Multiplying the 1999 coverage threshold amount ($1,000) by the 
ratio of the national average wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that 
for 1997 ($27,426.00) produces $1,753.76. We then round this amount to 
$1,800. Therefore, the election official and election worker coverage 
threshold amount is $1,800 for 2017.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: Program Nos. 96.001 Social 
Security-Disability Insurance; 96.002 Social Security-Retirement 
Insurance; 96.004 Social Security-Survivors Insurance; 96.006 
Supplemental Security Income)

Carolyn W. Colvin,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 2016-26026 Filed 10-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4191-02-P



                                                74854                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices

                                                Administration, Processing and                          President’s major disaster declaration on                       on eligibility or claiming benefits, call
                                                Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport                    10/20/2016, Private Non-Profit                                  1–800–772–1213 (TTY 1–800–325–
                                                Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.                             organizations that provide essential                            0778), or visit our Internet site at
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A.                     services of governmental nature may file                        www.socialsecurity.gov.
                                                Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,                 disaster loan applications at the address                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:       Because of
                                                U.S. Small Business Administration,                     listed above or other locally announced                         the 0.3 percent cost-of-living increase,
                                                409 3rd Street SW., Suite 6050,                         locations.                                                      the following items will increase for
                                                Washington, DC 20416.                                      The following areas have been                                2017:
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice
                                                                                                        determined to be adversely affected by                             (1) The maximum Federal
                                                of the Presidential disaster declaration                the disaster:                                                   Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
                                                for the State of Florida, dated 10/17/                  Primary Counties: Cheyenne, Cowley,                             monthly benefit amounts for 2017 under
                                                2016 is hereby amended to include the                      Ellis, Graham, Greenwood, Kingman,                           title XVI of the Act will be $735 for an
                                                following areas as adversely affected by                   Norton, Rooks, Russell, Sedgwick,                            eligible individual, $1,103 for an
                                                the disaster:                                              Sumner.                                                      eligible individual with an eligible
                                                Primary Counties (Physical Damage and                      The Interest Rates are:                                      spouse, and $368 for an essential
                                                     Economic Injury Loans): Brevard,                                                                                   person;
                                                                                                                                                            Percent        (2) The special benefit amount under
                                                     Indian River.
                                                Contiguous Counties (Economic Injury                                                                                    title VIII of the Act for certain World
                                                                                                        For Physical Damage:
                                                     Loans Only):                                         Non-Profit Organizations With                                 War II veterans will be $551.25 for 2017;
                                                  Florida: Okeechobee, Osceola, Saint                       Credit Available Elsewhere ...                      2.625      (3) The student earned income
                                                     Lucie.                                               Non-Profit Organizations With-                                exclusion under title XVI of the Act will
                                                                                                            out Credit Available Else-                                  be $1,790 per month in 2017, but not
                                                  All other information in the original                     where .....................................         2.625   more than $7,200 for all of 2017;
                                                declaration remains unchanged.                          For Economic Injury:                                               (4) The dollar fee limit for services
                                                (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance                   Non-Profit Organizations With-                                performed as a representative payee
                                                Number 59008)                                               out Credit Available Else-                                  remains at $41 per month ($78 per
                                                                                                            where .....................................         2.625
                                                Lisa Lopez-Suarez,                                                                                                      month in the case of a beneficiary who
                                                Acting Associate Administrator for Disaster
                                                                                                                                                                        is disabled and has an alcoholism or
                                                                                                          The number assigned to this disaster
                                                Assistance.                                                                                                             drug addiction condition that leaves
                                                                                                        for physical damage is 14929B and for
                                                                                                                                                                        him or her incapable of managing
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–25995 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am]            economic injury is 14930B
                                                                                                                                                                        benefits) in 2017; and
                                                BILLING CODE 8025–01–P                                  (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance                            (5) The dollar limit on the
                                                                                                        Number 59008)                                                   administrative-cost fee assessment
                                                SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION                                                                                           charged to an appointed representative
                                                                                                        Lisa Lopez-Suarez,                                              such as an attorney, agent, or other
                                                [Disaster Declaration #14929 and #14930]                Acting Associate Administrator for Disaster                     person who represents claimants
                                                                                                        Assistance.                                                     remains at $91 beginning in December
                                                Kansas Disaster #KS–00098                               [FR Doc. 2016–26006 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am]                    2016.
                                                AGENCY: U.S. Small Business                             BILLING CODE 8025–01–P                                             The national average wage index for
                                                Administration.                                                                                                         2015 is $48,098.63. This index affects
                                                ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                                                                                        the following amounts:
                                                                                                        SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION                                     (1) The Old-Age, Survivors, and
                                                SUMMARY:   This is a Notice of the                      [Docket No. SSA–2016–0050]
                                                                                                                                                                        Disability Insurance (OASDI)
                                                Presidential declaration of a major                                                                                     contribution and benefit base will be
                                                disaster for Public Assistance Only for                 Cost-of-Living Increase and Other                               $127,200 for remuneration paid in 2017
                                                the State of Kansas (FEMA–4287–DR),                     Determinations for 2017                                         and self-employment income earned in
                                                dated 10/20/2016.                                                                                                       taxable years beginning in 2017;
                                                  Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding.                 AGENCY:     Social Security Administration.                        (2) The monthly exempt amounts
                                                  Incident Period: 09/02/2016 through                   ACTION:     Notice.                                             under the OASDI retirement earnings
                                                09/12/2016.                                                                                                             test for taxable years ending in calendar
                                                                                                        SUMMARY:   Under title II of the Social                         year 2017 will be $1,410 for
                                                EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/20/2016.                             Security Act (Act), there will be a 0.3
                                                  Physical Loan Application Deadline                                                                                    beneficiaries who will attain their
                                                                                                        percent cost-of-living increase in Social                       Normal Retirement Age (NRA) (defined
                                                Date: 12/19/2016                                        Security benefits effective December
                                                  Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan                                                                                           in the Retirement Earnings Test Exempt
                                                                                                        2016. In addition, the national average                         Amounts section below) after 2017 and
                                                Application Deadline Date: 07/20/2017                   wage index for 2015 is $48,098.63. The                          $3,740 for those who attain NRA in
                                                ADDRESSES: Submit completed loan                        cost-of-living increase and national                            2017;
                                                applications to: U.S. Small Business                    average wage index affect other program                            (3) The dollar amounts (‘‘bend
                                                Administration, Processing and                          parameters as described below.                                  points’’) used in the primary insurance
                                                Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                amount (PIA) benefit formula for
                                                Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.                             Susan C. Kunkel, Office of the Chief                            workers who become eligible for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A.                     Actuary, Social Security                                        benefits, or who die before becoming
                                                Escobar, Office of Disaster Assistance,                 Administration, 6401 Security                                   eligible, in 2017 will be $885 and
                                                U.S. Small Business Administration,                     Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, (410)                           $5,336;
                                                409 3rd Street SW., Suite 6050,                         965–3000. Information relating to this                             (4) The bend points used in the
                                                Washington, DC 20416.                                   announcement is available on our                                formula for computing maximum family
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is                    Internet site at www.socialsecurity.gov/                        benefits for workers who become
                                                hereby given that as a result of the                    oact/cola/index.html. For information                           eligible for benefits, or who die before


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:43 Oct 26, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00093     Fmt 4703     Sfmt 4703        E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM   27OCN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices                                            74855

                                                becoming eligible, in 2017 will be                      the Act was amended to provide cost-of-               Funds at the beginning of that year to
                                                $1,131, $1,633, and $2,130;                             living increases, only one Consumer                   the combined expenditures of these
                                                   (5) The taxable earnings a person                    Price Index existed, namely the                       funds during that year. For 2016, the
                                                must have to be credited with a quarter                 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage                   OASDI fund ratio is assets of $2,812,510
                                                of coverage in 2017 will be $1,300;                     Earners and Clerical Workers. Although                million divided by estimated
                                                   (6) The ‘‘old-law’’ contribution and                 the Bureau of Labor Statistics has since              expenditures of $924,944 million, or
                                                benefit base under title II of the Act will             developed other consumer price                        304.1 percent. Because the 304.1
                                                be $94,500 for 2017;                                    indices, we follow precedent by                       percent OASDI fund ratio exceeds 20.0
                                                   (7) The monthly amount deemed to                     continuing to use the Consumer Price                  percent, the benefit increase for
                                                constitute substantial gainful activity                 Index for Urban Wage Earners and                      December 2016 is not limited.
                                                (SGA) for statutorily blind persons in                  Clerical Workers. We refer to this index
                                                                                                                                                              Program Amounts That Change Based
                                                2017 will be $1,950. The corresponding                  in the following paragraphs as the CPI.
                                                                                                           Section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Act defines            on the Cost-of-Living Increase
                                                amount for non-blind disabled persons
                                                will be $1,170;                                         a ‘‘computation quarter’’ to be a third                 The following program amounts
                                                   (8) The earnings threshold                           calendar quarter in which the average                 change based on the cost-of-living
                                                establishing a month as a part of a trial               CPI exceeded the average CPI in the                   increase: (1) Title II benefits; (2) title
                                                work period will be $840 for 2017; and                  previous computation quarter. The last                XVI benefits; (3) title VIII benefits; (4)
                                                   (9) Coverage thresholds for 2017 will                cost-of-living increase, effective for                the student earned income exclusion;
                                                be $2,000 for domestic workers and                      those eligible to receive title II benefits           (5) the fee for services performed by a
                                                $1,800 for election officials and election              for December 2014, was based on the                   representative payee; and (6) the
                                                workers.                                                CPI increase from the third quarter of                appointed representative fee
                                                According to section 215(i)(2)(D) of the                2013 to the third quarter of 2014.                    assessment.
                                                Act, we must publish the benefit                        Therefore, the last computation quarter               Title II Benefit Amounts
                                                increase percentage and the revised                     is the third quarter of 2014. The law
                                                                                                        states that a cost-of-living increase for                In accordance with section 215(i) of
                                                table of ‘‘special minimum’’ benefits                                                                         the Act, for workers and family
                                                within 45 days after the close of the                   benefits is determined based on the
                                                                                                        percentage increase, if any, in the CPI               members for whom eligibility for
                                                third calendar quarter of 2016. We must                                                                       benefits (that is, the worker’s attainment
                                                also publish the following by November                  from the last computation quarter to the
                                                                                                        third quarter of the current year.                    of age 62, or disability or death before
                                                1: The national average wage index for                                                                        age 62) occurred before 2017, benefits
                                                2015 (215(a)(1)(D)), the OASDI fund                     Therefore, we compute the increase in
                                                                                                        the CPI from the third quarter of 2014                will increase by 0.3 percent beginning
                                                ratio for 2016 (section 215(i)(2)(C)(ii)),                                                                    with benefits for December 2016, which
                                                the OASDI contribution and benefit base                 to the third quarter of 2016.
                                                                                                           Section 215(i)(1) of the Act states that           are payable in January 2017. For those
                                                for 2017 (section 230(a)), the earnings                                                                       first eligible after 2016, the 0.3 percent
                                                                                                        the CPI for a cost-of-living computation
                                                required to be credited with a quarter of                                                                     increase will not apply.
                                                                                                        quarter is the arithmetic mean of this
                                                coverage in 2017 (section 213(d)(2)), the                                                                        For eligibility after 1978, we
                                                                                                        index for the 3 months in that quarter.
                                                monthly exempt amounts under the                                                                              determine benefits using a formula
                                                                                                        In accordance with 20 CFR 404.275, we
                                                Social Security retirement earnings test                                                                      provided by the Social Security
                                                                                                        round the arithmetic mean, if necessary,
                                                for 2017 (section 203(f)(8)(A)), the                                                                          Amendments of 1977 (Pub. L. 95–216),
                                                                                                        to the nearest 0.001. The CPI for each
                                                formula for computing a PIA for workers                                                                       as described later in this notice.
                                                                                                        month in the quarter ending September
                                                who first become eligible for benefits or                                                                        For eligibility before 1979, we
                                                                                                        30, 2014, the last computation quarter,
                                                die in 2017 (section 215(a)(1)(D)), and                                                                       determine benefits by using a benefit
                                                                                                        is: For July 2014, 234.525; for August
                                                the formula for computing the                           2014, 234.030; and for September 2014,                table. The table is available on the
                                                maximum benefits payable to the family                  234.170. The arithmetic mean for the                  Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/
                                                of a worker who first becomes eligible                  calendar quarter ending September 30,                 ProgData/tableForm.html or by writing
                                                for old-age benefits or dies in 2017                    2014 is 234.242. The CPI for each month               to: Social Security Administration,
                                                (section 203(a)(2)(C)).                                 in the quarter ending September 30,                   Office of Public Inquiries, Windsor Park
                                                Cost-of-Living Increases                                2016, is: For July 2016, 234.771; for                 Building, 6401 Security Boulevard,
                                                                                                        August 2016, 234.904; and for                         Baltimore, MD 21235.
                                                General                                                 September 2016, 235.495. The                             Section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Act
                                                  The cost-of-living increase is 0.3                    arithmetic mean for the calendar quarter              requires that, when we determine an
                                                percent for benefits under titles II and                ending September 30, 2016 is 235.057.                 increase in Social Security benefits, we
                                                XVI of the Act. Under title II, OASDI                   The CPI for the calendar quarter ending               will publish in the Federal Register a
                                                benefits will increase by 0.3 percent for               September 30, 2016, exceeds that for the              revision of the range of the PIAs and
                                                individuals eligible for December 2016                  calendar quarter ending September 30,                 maximum family benefits based on the
                                                benefits, payable in January 2017. We                   2014 by 0.3 percent (rounded to the                   dollar amount and other provisions
                                                base this increase on the authority                     nearest 0.1). Therefore, beginning                    described in section 215(a)(1)(C)(i). We
                                                contained in section 215(i) of the Act.                 December 2016 a cost-of-living benefit                refer to these benefits as ‘‘special
                                                  Pursuant to section 1617 of the Act,                  increase of 0.3 percent is effective for              minimum’’ benefits. These benefits are
                                                Federal SSI payment levels will also                    benefits under title II of the Act.                   payable to certain individuals with long
                                                increase by 0.3 percent effective for                      Section 215(i) also specifies that a               periods of low earnings. To qualify for
                                                                                                        benefit increase under title II, effective            these benefits, an individual must have
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                payments made for January 2017 but
                                                paid on December 30, 2016.                              for December of any year, will be                     at least 11 years of coverage. To earn a
                                                                                                        limited to the increase in the national               year of coverage for purposes of the
                                                Computation                                             average wage index for the prior year if              special minimum benefit, a person must
                                                  Computation of the cost-of-living                     the OASDI fund ratio for that year is                 earn at least a certain proportion of the
                                                increase is based on an increase in a                   below 20.0 percent. The OASDI fund                    old-law contribution and benefit base
                                                Consumer Price Index produced by the                    ratio for a year is the ratio of the                  (described later in this notice). For years
                                                Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the time                 combined assets of the OASDI Trust                    before 1991, the proportion is 25


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:43 Oct 26, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00094   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM   27OCN1


                                                74856                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices

                                                                                  payable to a qualified individual for any
                                                percent; for years after 1990, it is 15                                                                              Appointed Representative Fee
                                                percent. In accordance with section
                                                                                  month shall be in an amount equal to                                               Assessment
                                                215(a)(1)(C)(i), the table below shows
                                                                                  75 percent of the Federal benefit rate                                               Under sections 206(d) and 1631(d) of
                                                the revised range of PIAs and maximum
                                                                                  [the maximum amount for an eligible                                                the Act, whenever we pay a fee to a
                                                family benefit amounts after the 0.3
                                                                                  individual] under title XVI for the                                                representative such as an attorney,
                                                percent benefit increase.         month, reduced by the amount of the                                                agent, or other person who represents
                                                                                  qualified individual’s benefit income for                                          claimants, we must impose on the
                                                 SPECIAL MINIMUM PIAS AND MAXIMUM the month.’’ Therefore, the monthly                                                representative an assessment to cover
                                                  FAMILY BENEFITS PAYABLE FOR DE- benefit for 2017 under this provision is                                           administrative costs. The assessment is
                                                  CEMBER 2016                     75 percent of $735, or $551.25.                                                    no more than 6.3 percent of the
                                                                                                               Student Earned Income Exclusion                       representative’s authorized fee or, if
                                                                                                Maximum                                                              lower, a dollar amount that is subject to
                                                Number of years                  PIA             family          A blind or disabled child who is a
                                                  of coverage                                                                                                        increase by the cost-of-living increase.
                                                                                                 benefit
                                                                                                               student regularly attending school,                   We derive the dollar limit for December
                                                11   ......................        $40.00            $60.90    college, university, or a course of                   2016 by increasing the unrounded limit
                                                12   ......................         81.70            123.70    vocational or technical training can                  for December 2015, $91.20, by 0.3
                                                13   ......................        123.50            186.40    have limited earnings that do not count               percent, which is $91.47. We then
                                                14   ......................        165.00            248.70    against his or her SSI benefits. The                  round $91.47 to the next lower multiple
                                                15   ......................        206.40            310.90    maximum amount of such income that
                                                16   ......................        248.40            373.80                                                          of $1. The dollar limit effective for
                                                                                                               we may exclude in 2016 is $1,780 per                  December 2016 is, therefore, $91, the
                                                17   ......................        290.00            436.70
                                                18   ......................        331.70            498.90
                                                                                                               month, but not more than $7,180 in all                same as the current amount.
                                                19   ......................        373.40            561.50    of 2016. These amounts increase based
                                                20   ......................        415.20            623.60    on a formula set forth in regulation 20               National Average Wage Index for 2015
                                                21   ......................        456.90            686.70    CFR 416.1112.                                         Computation
                                                22   ......................        498.30            749.10      To compute each of the monthly and
                                                23   ......................        540.70            812.60                                                            We determined the national average
                                                                                                               yearly maximum amounts for 2017, we                   wage index for calendar year 2015 based
                                                24   ......................        582.30            874.60
                                                                                                               increase the unrounded amount for                     on the 2014 national average wage index
                                                25   ......................        623.60            936.60
                                                26   ......................        666.00          1,000.10    2016 by the latest cost-of-living                     of $46,481.52, published in the Federal
                                                27   ......................        707.20          1,062.50    increase. If the amount so calculated is              Register on October 30, 2015 (80 FR
                                                28   ......................        748.90          1,124.80    not a multiple of $10, we round it to the             66963), and the percentage increase in
                                                29   ......................        790.60          1,187.80    nearest multiple of $10. The unrounded                average wages from 2014 to 2015, as
                                                30   ......................        832.20          1,249.70    monthly amount for 2016 is $1,781.37.                 measured by annual wage data. We
                                                                                                               We increase this amount by 0.3 percent                tabulate the annual wage data, including
                                                Title XVI Benefit Amounts                                      to $1,786.71, which we then round to                  contributions to deferred compensation
                                                   In accordance with section 1617 of                          $1,790. Similarly, we increase the                    plans, as required by section 209(k) of
                                                the Act, maximum Federal SSI benefit                           unrounded yearly amount for 2016,                     the Act. The average amounts of wages
                                                amounts for the aged, blind, and                               $7,180.65, by 0.3 percent to $7,202.19                calculated from these data were
                                                disabled will increase by 0.3 percent                          and round this to $7,200. Therefore, the              $44,569.20 for 2014 and $46,119.78 for
                                                effective January 2017. For 2016, we                           maximum amount of the income                          2015. To determine the national average
                                                derived the monthly benefit amounts for                        exclusion applicable to a student in                  wage index for 2015 at a level consistent
                                                an eligible individual, an eligible                            2017 is $1,790 per month but not more                 with the national average wage indexing
                                                individual with an eligible spouse, and                        than $7,200 in all of 2017.                           series for 1951 through 1977 (published
                                                for an essential person—$733, $1,100,                          Fee for Services Performed as a                       December 29, 1978, at 43 FR 61016), we
                                                and $367, respectively—from yearly,                            Representative Payee                                  multiply the 2014 national average wage
                                                unrounded Federal SSI benefit amounts                                                                                index of $46,481.52 by the percentage
                                                of $8,804.43, $13,205.18, and $4,412.31.                          Sections 205(j)(4)(A)(i) and                       increase in average wages from 2014 to
                                                For 2017, these yearly unrounded                               1631(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Act permit a                  2015 (based on SSA-tabulated wage
                                                amounts respectively increase by 0.3                           qualified organization to collect a                   data) as follows. We round the result to
                                                percent to $8,830.84, $13,244.80, and                          monthly fee from a beneficiary for                    the nearest cent.
                                                $4,425.55. We must round each of these                         expenses incurred in providing services
                                                resulting amounts, when not a multiple                         as the beneficiary’s representative                   National Average Wage Index Amount
                                                of $12, to the next lower multiple of                          payee. In 2016, the fee is limited to the               Multiplying the national average wage
                                                $12. Therefore, the annual amounts,                            lesser of: (1) 10 percent of the monthly              index for 2014 ($46,481.52) by the ratio
                                                effective for 2017, are $8,820, $13,236,                       benefit involved; or (2) $41 each month               of the average wage for 2015
                                                and $4,416. Dividing the yearly amounts                        ($78 each month when the beneficiary                  ($46,119.78) to that for 2014
                                                by 12 gives the respective monthly                             is entitled to disability benefits and has            ($44,569.20) produces the 2015 index,
                                                amounts for 2017—$735, $1,103, and                             an alcoholism or drug addiction                       $48,098.63. The national average wage
                                                $368. For an eligible individual with an                       condition that makes the individual                   index for calendar year 2015 is about
                                                eligible spouse, we equally divide the                         incapable of managing such benefits).                 3.48 percent higher than the 2014 index.
                                                amount payable between the two                                 The dollar fee limits are subject to
                                                                                                               increase by the cost-of-living increase,              Program Amounts That Change Based
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                spouses.
                                                                                                               with the resulting amounts rounded to                 on the National Average Wage Index
                                                Title VIII Benefit Amount                                      the nearest whole dollar amount. Due to                 Under the Act, the following amounts
                                                  Title VIII of the Act provides for                           the rounding provision, the 0.3 percent               change with annual changes in the
                                                special benefits to certain World War II                       COLA effective for December 2016 has                  national average wage index: (1) The
                                                veterans who reside outside the United                         no effect on the fee limits, so both the              OASDI contribution and benefit base;
                                                States. Section 805 of the Act provides                        current $41 amount and the current $78                (2) the exempt amounts under the
                                                that ‘‘[t]he benefit under this title                          amount remain the same for 2017.                      retirement earnings test; (3) the dollar


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014          17:43 Oct 26, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00095   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM   27OCN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices                                           74857

                                                amounts, or bend points, in the PIA                     Retirement Earnings Test Exempt                       Higher Exempt Amount
                                                formula; (4) the bend points in the                     Amounts                                                 Multiplying the 2002 retirement
                                                maximum family benefit formula; (5)                     General                                               earnings test monthly exempt amount of
                                                the earnings required to credit a worker                                                                      $2,500 by the ratio of the national
                                                with a quarter of coverage; (6) the old-                   We withhold Social Security benefits
                                                                                                                                                              average wage index for 2015
                                                law contribution and benefit base (as                   when a beneficiary under the NRA has
                                                                                                                                                              ($48,098.63) to that for 2000
                                                determined under section 230 of the Act                 earnings over the applicable retirement
                                                                                                                                                              ($32,154.82) produces $3,739.61. We
                                                                                                        earnings test exempt amount. The NRA
                                                as in effect before the 1977                                                                                  round this to $3,740. Because $3,740
                                                                                                        is the age when retirement benefits
                                                amendments); (7) the substantial gainful                                                                      exceeds the current exempt amount of
                                                                                                        (before rounding) are equal to the PIA.
                                                activity (SGA) amount applicable to                                                                           $3,490, the higher retirement earnings
                                                                                                        The NRA is age 66 for those born in
                                                statutorily blind individuals; and (8) the                                                                    test monthly exempt amount is $3,740
                                                                                                        1943–54, and it gradually increases to
                                                coverage threshold for election officials                                                                     for 2017. The higher annual exempt
                                                                                                        age 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
                                                and election workers. Additionally,                                                                           amount is $44,880 under the retirement
                                                                                                        A higher exempt amount applies in the
                                                under section 3121(x) of the Internal                                                                         earnings test.
                                                                                                        year in which a person attains NRA, but
                                                Revenue Code, the domestic employee                     only for earnings in months before such               Primary Insurance Amount Benefit
                                                coverage threshold is based on changes                  attainment. A lower exempt amount                     Formula
                                                in the national average wage index.                     applies at all other ages below NRA.
                                                                                                                                                              General
                                                  Two amounts also increase under                       Section 203(f)(8)(B) of the Act provides
                                                regulatory requirements—the SGA                         formulas for determining the monthly                     The Social Security Amendments of
                                                                                                        exempt amounts. The annual exempt                     1977 provided a method for computing
                                                amount applicable to non-blind
                                                                                                        amounts are exactly 12 times the                      benefits that generally applies when a
                                                disabled persons, and the monthly
                                                                                                        monthly amounts.                                      worker first becomes eligible for benefits
                                                earnings threshold that establishes a                                                                         after 1978. This method uses the
                                                                                                           For beneficiaries who attain NRA in
                                                month as part of a trial work period for                                                                      worker’s average indexed monthly
                                                                                                        the year, we withhold $1 in benefits for
                                                disabled beneficiaries.                                                                                       earnings (AIME) to compute the PIA.
                                                                                                        every $3 of earnings over the annual
                                                OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base                     exempt amount for months before NRA.                  We adjust the formula each year to
                                                                                                        For all other beneficiaries under NRA,                reflect changes in general wage levels,
                                                General                                                 we withhold $1 in benefits for every $2               as measured by the national average
                                                                                                        of earnings over the annual exempt                    wage index.
                                                  The OASDI contribution and benefit                                                                             We also adjust, or index, a worker’s
                                                base is $127,200 for remuneration paid                  amount.
                                                                                                                                                              earnings to reflect the change in the
                                                in 2017 and self-employment income                      Computation                                           general wage levels that occurred during
                                                earned in taxable years beginning in                       Under the formula that applies to                  the worker’s years of employment. Such
                                                2017. The OASDI contribution and                        beneficiaries attaining NRA after 2017,               indexing ensures that a worker’s future
                                                benefit base serves as the maximum                      the lower monthly exempt amount for                   benefit level will reflect the general rise
                                                annual earnings on which OASDI taxes                    2017 is the larger of: (1) The 1994                   in the standard of living that will occur
                                                are paid. It is also the maximum annual                 monthly exempt amount multiplied by                   during his or her working lifetime. To
                                                earnings used in determining a person’s                 the ratio of the national average wage                compute the AIME, we first determine
                                                OASDI benefits.                                         index for 2015 to that for 1992; or (2) the           the required number of years of
                                                                                                        2016 monthly exempt amount ($1,310).                  earnings. We then select the number of
                                                Computation
                                                                                                        If the resulting amount is not a multiple             years with the highest indexed earnings,
                                                   Section 230(b) of the Act provides the               of $10, we round it to the nearest                    add the indexed earnings for those
                                                formula used to determine the OASDI                     multiple of $10.                                      years, and divide the total amount by
                                                contribution and benefit base. Under the                   Under the formula that applies to                  the total number of months in those
                                                                                                        beneficiaries attaining NRA in 2017, the              years. We then round the resulting
                                                formula, the base for 2017 is the larger
                                                                                                        higher monthly exempt amount for 2017                 average amount down to the next lower
                                                of: (1) The 1994 base of $60,600
                                                                                                        is the larger of: (1) The 2002 monthly                dollar amount. The result is the AIME.
                                                multiplied by the ratio of the national
                                                                                                        exempt amount multiplied by the ratio
                                                average wage index for 2015 to that for                 of the national average wage index for                Computing the PIA
                                                1992; or (2) the current base ($118,500).               2015 to that for 2000; or (2) the 2016                   The PIA is the sum of three separate
                                                If the resulting amount is not a multiple               monthly exempt amount ($3,490). If the                percentages of portions of the AIME. In
                                                of $300, we round it to the nearest                     resulting amount is not a multiple of                 1979 (the first year the formula was in
                                                multiple of $300.                                       $10, we round it to the nearest multiple              effect), these portions were the first
                                                OASDI Contribution and Benefit Base                     of $10.                                               $180, the amount between $180 and
                                                                                                                                                              $1,085, and the amount over $1,085. We
                                                Amount                                                  Lower Exempt Amount                                   call the dollar amounts in the formula
                                                  Multiplying the 1994 OASDI                              Multiplying the 1994 retirement                     governing the portions of the AIME the
                                                contribution and benefit base ($60,600)                 earnings test monthly exempt amount of                ‘‘bend points’’ of the formula. Therefore,
                                                by the ratio of the national average wage               $670 by the ratio of the national average             the bend points for 1979 were $180 and
                                                index for 2015 ($48,098.63 as                           wage index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that              $1,085.
                                                                                                        for 1992 ($22,935.42) produces                           To obtain the bend points for 2017,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                determined above) to that for 1992
                                                                                                        $1,405.08. We round this to $1,410.                   we multiply each of the 1979 bend-
                                                ($22,935.42) produces $127,086.27. We
                                                                                                        Because $1,410 exceeds the current                    point amounts by the ratio of the
                                                round this amount to $127,200. Because
                                                                                                        exempt amount of $1,310, the lower                    national average wage index for 2015 to
                                                $127,200 exceeds the current base                       retirement earnings test monthly exempt               that average for 1977. We then round
                                                amount of $118,500, the OASDI                           amount is $1,410 for 2017. The lower                  these results to the nearest dollar.
                                                contribution and benefit base is                        annual exempt amount is $16,920 under                 Multiplying the 1979 amounts of $180
                                                $127,200 for 2017.                                      the retirement earnings test.                         and $1,085 by the ratio of the national


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:43 Oct 26, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00096   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM   27OCN1


                                                74858                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices

                                                average wage index for 2015                                To obtain the bend points for 2017,                the larger of: (1) The 1978 amount of
                                                ($48,098.63) to that for 1977 ($9,779.44)               we multiply each of the 1979 bend-                    $250 multiplied by the ratio of the
                                                produces the amounts of $885.30 and                     point amounts by the ratio of the                     national average wage index for 2015 to
                                                $5,336.40. We round these to $885 and                   national average wage index for 2015 to               that for 1976; or (2) the current amount
                                                $5,336. Therefore, the portions of the                  that average for 1977. Then we round                  of $1,260. Section 213(d) provides that
                                                AIME to be used in 2017 are the first                   this amount to the nearest dollar.                    if the resulting amount is not a multiple
                                                $885, the amount between $885 and                       Multiplying the amounts of $230, $332,                of $10, we round it to the nearest
                                                $5,336, and the amount over $5,336.                     and $433 by the ratio of the national                 multiple of $10.
                                                  Therefore, for individuals who first                  average wage index for 2015                           Quarter of Coverage Amount
                                                become eligible for old-age insurance                   ($48,098.63) to that for 1977 ($9,779.44)
                                                benefits or disability insurance benefits               produces the amounts of $1,131.22,                      Multiplying the 1978 quarter of
                                                in 2017, or who die in 2017 before                      $1,632.89, and $2,129.64. We round                    coverage amount ($250) by the ratio of
                                                becoming eligible for benefits, their PIA               these amounts to $1,131, $1,633, and                  the national average wage index for
                                                will be the sum of:                                     $2,130. Therefore, the portions of the                2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1976
                                                  (a) 90 percent of the first $885 of their             PIAs to be used in 2017 are the first                 ($9,226.48) produces $1,303.28. We
                                                AIME, plus                                              $1,131, the amount between $1,131 and                 then round this amount to $1,300.
                                                  (b) 32 percent of their AIME over $885                $1,633, the amount between $1,633 and                 Because $1,300 exceeds the current
                                                and through $5,336, plus                                $2,130, and the amount over $2,130.                   amount of $1,260, the quarter of
                                                  (c) 15 percent of their AIME over                        Thus, for the family of a worker who               coverage amount is $1,300 for 2017.
                                                $5,336.                                                 becomes age 62 or dies in 2017 before                 Old-Law Contribution and Benefit Base
                                                  We round this amount to the next                      age 62, we will compute the total
                                                lower multiple of $0.10 if it is not                    benefits payable to them so that it does              General
                                                already a multiple of $0.10. This                       not exceed:                                              The old-law contribution and benefit
                                                formula and the rounding adjustment                        (a) 150 percent of the first $1,131 of             base for 2017 is $94,500. This base
                                                are stated in section 215(a) of the Act.                the worker’s PIA, plus                                would have been effective under the Act
                                                                                                        (b) 272 percent of the worker’s PIA over              without the enactment of the 1977
                                                Maximum Benefits Payable to a Family
                                                                                                        $1,131 through $1,633, plus                           amendments.
                                                General                                                 (c) 134 percent of the worker’s PIA over                 The old-law contribution and benefit
                                                  The 1977 amendments continued the                     $1,633 through $2,130, plus                           base is used by:
                                                                                                        (d) 175 percent of the worker’s PIA over                 (a) The Railroad Retirement program
                                                policy of limiting the total monthly
                                                                                                        $2,130.                                               to determine certain tax liabilities and
                                                benefits that a worker’s family may
                                                                                                           We then round this amount to the                   tier II benefits payable under that
                                                receive based on the worker’s PIA.
                                                                                                        next lower multiple of $0.10 if it is not             program to supplement the tier I
                                                Those amendments also continued the
                                                                                                        already a multiple of $0.10. This                     payments that correspond to basic
                                                relationship between maximum family
                                                                                                        formula and the rounding adjustment                   Social Security benefits,
                                                benefits and PIAs but changed the                                                                                (b) the Pension Benefit Guaranty
                                                method of computing the maximum                         are stated in section 203(a) of the Act.
                                                                                                                                                              Corporation to determine the maximum
                                                benefits that may be paid to a worker’s                 Quarter of Coverage Amount                            amount of pension guaranteed under the
                                                family. The Social Security Disability                                                                        Employee Retirement Income Security
                                                Amendments of 1980 (Pub. L. 96–265)                     General
                                                                                                                                                              Act (section 230(d) of the Act),
                                                established a formula for computing the                   The earnings required for a quarter of                 (c) Social Security to determine a year
                                                maximum benefits payable to the family                  coverage in 2017 is $1,300. A quarter of              of coverage in computing the special
                                                of a disabled worker. This formula                      coverage is the basic unit for                        minimum benefit, as described earlier,
                                                applies to the family benefits of workers               determining if a worker is insured under              and
                                                who first become entitled to disability                 the Social Security program. For years                   (d) Social Security to determine a year
                                                insurance benefits after June 30, 1980,                 before 1978, we generally credited an                 of coverage (acquired whenever
                                                and who first become eligible for these                 individual with a quarter of coverage for             earnings equal or exceed 25 percent of
                                                benefits after 1978. For disabled workers               each quarter in which wages of $50 or                 the old-law base for this purpose only)
                                                initially entitled to disability benefits               more were paid, or with 4 quarters of                 in computing benefits for persons who
                                                before July 1980 or whose disability                    coverage for every taxable year in which              are also eligible to receive pensions
                                                began before 1979, we compute the                       $400 or more of self-employment                       based on employment not covered
                                                family maximum payable the same as                      income was earned. Beginning in 1978,                 under section 210 of the Act.
                                                the old-age and survivor family                         employers generally report wages yearly
                                                maximum.                                                instead of quarterly. With the change to              Computation
                                                                                                        yearly reporting, section 352(b) of the                 The old-law contribution and benefit
                                                Computing the Old-Age and Survivor
                                                                                                        Social Security Amendments of 1977                    base is the larger of: (1) The 1994 old-
                                                Family Maximum
                                                                                                        amended section 213(d) of the Act to                  law base ($45,000) multiplied by the
                                                   The formula used to compute the                      provide that a quarter of coverage would              ratio of the national average wage index
                                                family maximum is similar to that used                  be credited for each $250 of an                       for 2015 to that for 1992; or (2) the
                                                to compute the PIA. It involves                         individual’s total wages and self-                    current old-law base ($88,200). If the
                                                computing the sum of four separate                      employment income for calendar year                   resulting amount is not a multiple of
                                                percentages of portions of the worker’s
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        1978, up to a maximum of 4 quarters of                $300, we round it to the nearest
                                                PIA. In 1979, these portions were the                   coverage for the year. The amendment                  multiple of $300.
                                                first $230, the amount between $230                     also provided a formula for years after
                                                and $332, the amount between $332 and                   1978.                                                 Old-Law Contribution and Benefit Base
                                                $433, and the amount over $433. We                                                                            Amount
                                                refer to such dollar amounts in the                     Computation                                             Multiplying the 1994 old-law
                                                formula as the ‘‘bend points’’ of the                     Under the prescribed formula, the                   contribution and benefit base ($45,000)
                                                family-maximum formula.                                 quarter of coverage amount for 2017 is                by the ratio of the national average wage


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:43 Oct 26, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00097   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM   27OCN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2016 / Notices                                               74859

                                                index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for                 Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold                  1993 ($23,132.67) produces $2,079.25.
                                                1992 ($22,935.42) produces $94,370.99.                                                                        We then round this amount to $2,000.
                                                                                                        General
                                                We round this amount to $94,500.                                                                              Therefore, the domestic employee
                                                Because $94,500 exceeds the current                        During a trial work period of 9                    coverage threshold amount is $2,000 for
                                                amount of $88,200, the old-law                          months in a rolling 60-month period, a                2017.
                                                contribution and benefit base is $94,500                beneficiary receiving Social Security
                                                for 2017.                                               disability benefits may test his or her               Election Official and Election Worker
                                                                                                        ability to work and still receive monthly             Coverage Threshold
                                                Substantial Gainful Activity Amounts                    benefit payments. To be considered a                  General
                                                General                                                 trial work period month, earnings must
                                                                                                        be over a certain level. In 2017, any                   The minimum amount an election
                                                   A finding of disability under titles II                                                                    official and election worker must earn
                                                                                                        month in which earnings exceed $840 is
                                                and XVI of the Act requires that a                                                                            so the earnings are covered under Social
                                                                                                        considered a month of services for an
                                                person, except for a title XVI disabled                                                                       Security or Medicare is the election
                                                                                                        individual’s trial work period.
                                                child, be unable to engage in SGA. A                                                                          official and election worker coverage
                                                person who is earning more than a                       Computation                                           threshold. For 2017, this threshold is
                                                certain monthly amount is ordinarily                       The method used to determine the                   $1,800. Section 218(c)(8)(B) of the Act
                                                considered to be engaging in SGA. The                   new amount is set forth in our                        provides the formula for increasing the
                                                monthly earnings considered as SGA                      regulations at 20 CFR 404.1592(b).                    threshold.
                                                depends on the nature of a person’s                     Monthly earnings in 2017, used to
                                                disability. Section 223(d)(4)(A) of the                                                                       Computation
                                                                                                        determine whether a month is part of a
                                                Act specifies the SGA amount for                        trial work period, is the larger of: (1)                Under the formula, the election
                                                statutorily blind individuals under title               The amount for 2001 ($530) multiplied                 official and election worker coverage
                                                II while our regulations (20 CFR                        by the ratio of the national average wage             threshold for 2017 is equal to the 1999
                                                404.1574 and 416.974) specify the SGA                   index for 2015 to that for 1999; or (2) the           amount of $1,000 multiplied by the ratio
                                                amount for non-blind individuals.                       amount for 2016. If the amount so                     of the national average wage index for
                                                Computation                                             calculated is not a multiple of $10, we               2015 to that for 1997. If the amount we
                                                                                                        round it to the nearest multiple of $10.              determine is not a multiple of $100, it
                                                   The monthly SGA amount for                                                                                 we round it to the nearest multiple of
                                                statutorily blind individuals under title               Trial Work Period Earnings Threshold                  $100.
                                                II for 2017 is the larger of: (1) The                   Amount
                                                amount for 1994 multiplied by the ratio                                                                       Election Official and Election Worker
                                                                                                          Multiplying the 2001 monthly
                                                of the national average wage index for                                                                        Coverage Threshold Amount
                                                                                                        earnings threshold ($530) by the ratio of
                                                2015 to that for 1992; or (2) the amount                                                                        Multiplying the 1999 coverage
                                                                                                        the national average wage index for
                                                for 2016. The monthly SGA amount for                                                                          threshold amount ($1,000) by the ratio
                                                                                                        2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1999
                                                non-blind disabled individuals for 2017                                                                       of the national average wage index for
                                                                                                        ($30,469.84) produces $836.64. We then
                                                is the larger of: (1) The amount for 2000                                                                     2015 ($48,098.63) to that for 1997
                                                                                                        round this amount to $840. Because
                                                multiplied by the ratio of the national                                                                       ($27,426.00) produces $1,753.76. We
                                                                                                        $840 exceeds the current amount of
                                                average wage index for 2015 to that for                                                                       then round this amount to $1,800.
                                                                                                        $810, the monthly earnings threshold is
                                                1998; or (2) the amount for 2016. In                                                                          Therefore, the election official and
                                                either case, if the resulting amount is                 $840 for 2017.
                                                                                                                                                              election worker coverage threshold
                                                not a multiple of $10, we round it to the               Domestic Employee Coverage                            amount is $1,800 for 2017.
                                                nearest multiple of $10.                                Threshold
                                                                                                                                                              (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:
                                                SGA Amount for Statutorily Blind                        General                                               Program Nos. 96.001 Social Security-
                                                Individuals                                               The minimum amount a domestic                       Disability Insurance; 96.002 Social Security-
                                                   Multiplying the 1994 monthly SGA                     worker must earn so that such earnings                Retirement Insurance; 96.004 Social Security-
                                                                                                                                                              Survivors Insurance; 96.006 Supplemental
                                                amount for statutorily blind individuals                are covered under Social Security or                  Security Income)
                                                ($930) by the ratio of the national                     Medicare is the domestic employee
                                                average wage index for 2015                             coverage threshold. For 2017, this                    Carolyn W. Colvin,
                                                ($48,098.63) to that for 1992                           threshold is $2,000. Section 3121(x) of               Acting Commissioner of Social Security.
                                                ($22,935.42) produces $1,950.33. We                     the Internal Revenue Code provides the                [FR Doc. 2016–26026 Filed 10–26–16; 8:45 am]
                                                then round this amount to $1,950.                       formula for increasing the threshold.                 BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
                                                Because $1,950 exceeds the current
                                                amount of $1,820, the monthly SGA                       Computation
                                                amount for statutorily blind individuals                  Under the formula, the domestic
                                                is $1,950 for 2017.                                     employee coverage threshold for 2017 is               OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
                                                                                                        equal to the 1995 amount of $1,000                    TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
                                                SGA Amount for Non-Blind Disabled
                                                                                                        multiplied by the ratio of the national
                                                Individuals                                                                                                   [Docket Number USTR–2016–0021; Dispute
                                                                                                        average wage index for 2015 to that for
                                                  Multiplying the 2000 monthly SGA                      1993. If the resulting amount is not a                Number WT/DS508]
                                                amount for non-blind individuals ($700)                 multiple of $100, we round it to the next
                                                by the ratio of the national average wage                                                                     WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                        lower multiple of $100.
                                                index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for                                                                       Regarding China—Export Duties on
                                                1998 ($28,861.44) produces $1,166.58.                   Domestic Employee Coverage Threshold                  Certain Raw Materials
                                                We then round this amount to $1,170.                    Amount
                                                                                                                                                              AGENCY: Office of the United States
                                                Because $1,170 exceeds the current                        Multiplying the 1995 domestic                       Trade Representative.
                                                amount of $1,130, the monthly SGA                       employee coverage threshold ($1,000)
                                                                                                                                                              ACTION: Notice with request for
                                                amount for non-blind disabled                           by the ratio of the national average wage
                                                                                                                                                              comments.
                                                individuals is $1,170 for 2017.                         index for 2015 ($48,098.63) to that for


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:43 Oct 26, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00098   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\27OCN1.SGM   27OCN1



Document Created: 2016-10-27 01:52:40
Document Modified: 2016-10-27 01:52:40
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactSusan C. Kunkel, Office of the Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, (410) 965-3000. Information relating to this announcement is available on our Internet site at www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/cola/index.html. For information on eligibility or claiming benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325- 0778), or visit our Internet site at www.socialsecurity.gov.
FR Citation81 FR 74854 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR