The 2025 Substantial Gainful Activity threshold

Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA, is the dollar amount Social Security uses to decide whether you are working enough to lose your SSDI benefits. In 2025, that amount is $1,550 per month for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 per month for blind beneficiaries.

If you earn more than these amounts in a month, Social Security assumes you are working at a level that means you no longer need disability benefits. The threshold changes each year because it is tied to the national average wage index — the same measure that drives the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) you may have read about.

The SGA amount matters because it is the first gate Social Security checks when you report work income. It is not the only thing they look at, but it is the one that triggers closer review of whether you can actually do substantial work.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA amount is $1,550 per month for most SSDI beneficiaries and $2,590 per month if you are blind.
  • Earning more than the SGA amount in a single month does not automatically end your benefits, but it starts a review process.
  • The SGA threshold rises each year with the national average wage, so the 2026 amount will be different from 2025.
  • Self-employment income, wages, and certain other earnings all count toward the SGA limit.

How Social Security measures your monthly earnings

Social Security counts gross income — the money before taxes, deductions, or expenses come out. If you work for an employer, they count your wages. If you are self-employed, they count your net profit after business expenses, not your total revenue.

The month matters. You can earn $1,549 in January and $1,551 in February, and only February triggers a review. Social Security looks at each calendar month separately. Some months you may have no income; other months you may have a large payment from a client or a bonus. Each one stands on its own.

Certain income does not count. Unearned income — money from investments, pensions, rental property, or gifts — does not affect the SGA threshold. Neither does Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you receive both SSI and SSDI. The SGA rule is about work, not about how much money you have.

What happens if you earn more than the SGA amount

Crossing the SGA threshold does not end your benefits when ready. Instead, it tells Social Security to look more closely at what you are actually doing. They will review your work to see whether you are truly doing substantial work or whether there are reasons your earnings do not reflect your actual work capacity.

Social Security also considers the nature of the work, how many hours you work, and the skills the job requires. Someone earning $1,600 a month working 40 hours a week at minimum wage is in a different situation than someone earning $1,600 a month working 5 hours a week at a specialized job. Both crossed the threshold, but the second person may have more room to argue they cannot sustain that work.

If Social Security decides you are doing substantial work, they will end your SSDI benefits. You have the right to request reconsideration and to appeal. During the appeal process, you can continue to receive benefits while the case is reviewed.

The difference between SGA and trial work periods

The SGA threshold is separate from the trial work period, which is a nine-month window during which you can earn any amount without affecting your benefits. During those nine months, Social Security does not count your earnings against the SGA limit at all.

After your trial work period ends, the SGA threshold applies. If you earn more than the SGA amount in any month after the trial work period, Social Security will review your case. The trial work period is a one-time benefit — you get it once per work attempt, not every year.

Why the SGA amount changes each year

Congress ties the SGA threshold to the national average wage index. When wages across the country rise, the SGA amount rises with them. This is why the 2025 amount ($1,550) is higher than the 2024 amount ($1,550 — in this case they were the same, but they often differ).

The Social Security Administration announces the new SGA amount each October or November for the following year. If you receive SSDI and work, you should check the updated amount when it is announced. Your local Social Security office can tell you the current year's threshold, or you can find it on the Social Security website.

Planning your work and reporting earnings

If you are thinking about returning to work while on SSDI, knowing the SGA amount helps you plan. You can work and earn below the threshold without triggering a benefits review. You can also use the trial work period to test whether you can sustain work without risking your benefits when ready.

You are required to report your work and earnings to Social Security. Do not wait until the end of the year. Report changes as they happen — when you start a job, when your hours change, when you become self-employed. Failing to report can result in overpayments you will have to repay later.

If you are unsure whether your earnings will cross the threshold, contact your local Social Security office or your work incentives planning and information (WIPA) project. WIPA projects are free services that help SSDI and SSI beneficiaries understand how work affects their benefits. They can walk you through your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does earning $1,550 one time mean I lose my benefits?

Not automatically. Earning the SGA amount in one month triggers a review, but Social Security will look at the whole picture — whether you can sustain that level of work, the nature of the work, and your medical condition. A single high-earning month does not always result in benefits ending.

What if I am self-employed — do I count gross or net income?

You count net income after business expenses. If you gross $2,000 but spend $600 on supplies and overhead, your net is $1,400. That is what counts toward the SGA threshold. Keep records of all business expenses to support this calculation.

Can I earn money without it counting toward SGA?

Yes, during your nine-month trial work period, any amount of earnings is allowed without affecting benefits. After that, unearned income (investments, gifts, pensions) does not count. Only work income counts toward the SGA limit.

Will the SGA amount be higher in 2026?

Possibly. The 2026 amount depends on the national average wage index for 2024, which Social Security will announce in late 2025. If average wages rose, the 2026 SGA amount will be higher than 2025. If they stayed flat or fell, it may stay the same or decrease.

What should I do if I think I might earn more than the SGA amount?

Contact your local Social Security office or a WIPA project before you start work. They can explain how your specific job and earnings will affect your benefits and help you understand your options, including the trial work period and other work incentives.