What the 2023 SGA limit was and how it affected your SSDI

In 2023, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit for SSDI was $1,470 per month. This is the amount of monthly earnings Social Security used to decide whether you were working at a level that would end your benefits. If you earned more than $1,470 in a month, Social Security could determine you were no longer disabled and stop your payments.

The SGA limit changes every year because it is tied to the national average wage index. Social Security announces the new limit in October or November for the following year. The 2023 figure of $1,470 was higher than 2022's limit of $1,350, which is typical — the limit usually rises year to year.

This limit applied to SSDI only, not to Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI has its own income rules. The SGA limit also did not explore if you were blind; blind workers had a separate, higher SGA limit of $2,460 in 2023.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2023 SGA limit of $1,470 per month was the threshold Social Security used to determine whether you were working too much to remain on SSDI.
  • Earning more than $1,470 in a single month did not automatically end your benefits, but it triggered a review of your work activity.
  • The SGA limit changes every January and is announced by Social Security in the fall of the prior year.
  • Blind SSDI recipients had a higher 2023 SGA limit of $2,460 per month.
  • The limit applies only to SSDI; SSI recipients follow different income rules entirely.

How Social Security used the $1,470 limit to review your case

Earning above $1,470 in a month did not mean your benefits stopped when ready. Instead, it meant Social Security would look more closely at whether your work showed you were no longer disabled. They examined the type of work you were doing, how many hours you worked, and whether the earnings pattern suggested you could sustain that level of work.

Social Security also considered whether you were in a trial work period (TWP). During a TWP, you could earn any amount without losing benefits for nine months within a rolling 60-month window. If you were in your TWP and earned above $1,470, Social Security still counted those months toward your nine-month allowance, but your benefits continued.

After your TWP ended, Social Security looked at your average earnings over the past months. If the pattern showed you were consistently earning above SGA, they would send you a notice that your case was under review. You would then have a chance to explain your work situation before any decision was made.

The difference between the SGA limit and the trial work period

The SGA limit and the trial work period are two separate protections, and it is important not to confuse them. The SGA limit is a monthly earnings threshold. The trial work period is a nine-month window during which you can test your ability to work without any earnings limit.

During your TWP, you could earn $100 a month or $5,000 a month — the amount did not matter. What mattered was that you completed nine months of work (not necessarily consecutive) within a 60-month rolling period. Once your TWP ended, the SGA limit kicked back in as the measure Social Security used to review your ongoing work.

Many people use their TWP to gradually increase their hours and earnings, then watch their earnings carefully once the nine months are complete. If you were unsure whether you were still in your TWP in 2023, you could contact Social Security and ask them to tell you how many trial work months you had already used.

What happened if you earned more than $1,470 in 2023

If you earned more than $1,470 in a single month in 2023, you were required to report it to Social Security. You could do this by phone, by mail, or through your online My Social Security account. Failing to report work income was a violation of your SSDI agreement and could result in overpayment demands or benefit suspension.

After you reported the earnings, Social Security reviewed your case. They looked at whether the month was an isolated high-earning month or part of a pattern. They also considered whether you were still in your trial work period. If Social Security determined you were performing substantial gainful activity — meaning you were working at a level that showed you could sustain yourself — they would send you a notice that your benefits would end.

You had the right to request reconsideration of that decision. You could explain your work situation, provide medical evidence that your condition had worsened, or show that the earnings were temporary. The reconsideration process took 60 to 90 days, and during that time your benefits usually continued while the review was underway.

How the 2023 SGA limit compared to previous years

The SGA limit has risen steadily over the past decade as average wages have increased. In 2020, the limit was $1,260. By 2021 it was $1,310, in 2022 it was $1,350, and in 2023 it reached $1,470. This upward trend means that workers on SSDI have had a slightly larger window to earn before triggering a benefits review, though the real value of that window depends on your local cost of living and the type of work you do.

The increase from year to year is usually between $50 and $150. Social Security calculates the new limit using a formula based on the national average wage index from two years prior. This means the 2023 limit was set based on wage data from 2021. The 2024 limit and beyond are already determined by wage data that has already been collected, so Social Security can announce them with certainty each fall.

Reporting your work income to Social Security

If you were working in 2023 and earning near or above the $1,470 limit, you needed to report your income to Social Security. You could report by calling 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office in person, or by logging into your My Social Security account online and updating your work information there.

When you reported, have ready the name of your employer, the dates you worked, and your gross monthly earnings (before taxes). Social Security asked for gross income, not net income after deductions. If you were self-employed, you reported your net profit from self-employment, which is your gross income minus business expenses.

You were required to report changes in your work within 30 days. If you started a new job, stopped working, or had a significant change in hours or pay, you needed to notify Social Security. Reporting promptly helped avoid overpayments and kept your case current.

What changed after 2023

The SGA limit for 2024 and beyond changes every year. Social Security announces the new limit in October for the following year. If you are currently on SSDI and working, you should check the current year's SGA limit on the Social Security website or by calling 1-800-772-1213, because the 2023 limit no longer applies.

The structure of how Social Security reviews work activity has remained the same: the SGA limit is still the primary measure, the trial work period still allows nine months of unrestricted earnings, and you still must report all work income. But the dollar amount changes, so it is important to know the current limit for the year you are working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did earning $1,470 in one month automatically end my SSDI in 2023?

No. Earning $1,470 or slightly more in a single month triggered a review, but Social Security looked at the overall pattern of your work and whether you were in a trial work period. One high-earning month did not automatically stop your benefits. Social Security sent you a notice if they determined your work showed you could sustain yourself.

What if I earned $1,470 during my trial work period in 2023?

That month counted as one of your nine trial work months, but your benefits continued. The trial work period allowed you to earn any amount without losing SSDI. Once your nine months were complete, the SGA limit of $1,470 applied again to future months.

How do I know if I was in my trial work period in 2023?

You could call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them how many trial work months you had already used. Social Security tracks this for you and can tell you exactly how many months remain in your current 60-month rolling window.

Was the $1,470 limit the same for everyone on SSDI in 2023?

No. Blind SSDI recipients had a higher limit of $2,460 per month in 2023. If you were blind, that was the earnings threshold Social Security used to review your work. SSI recipients followed different income rules entirely and should not use the SSDI SGA limit.

What happens if I did not report my work income in 2023?

Failing to report work income was a violation of your SSDI agreement. Social Security could demand repayment of benefits you received while working above SGA, or suspend your benefits. If you did not report and Social Security discovered unreported earnings, contact them when ready to explain and bring your account current.