What counts as work earnings during your Trial Work Period
During your Trial Work Period, Social Security counts only money you earn from work — not other income like pensions, investments, or unemployment benefits. The calculation is straightforward: Social Security looks at your gross earnings (before taxes) in each month you work, then compares that amount to a threshold they set each year.
A work month is any month in which you earn $940 or more (this figure changes annually, so check the current year's amount on Social Security's website). If you earn less than $940 in a month, that month does not count toward your nine work months, even if you worked during it. If you earn $940 or more, that entire month counts as one of your nine months, regardless of how much you earned above that threshold.
The nine months do not have to be consecutive. You could have work months spread across two or three years, and they would all count toward your Trial Work Period. Once you have used nine work months, your Trial Work Period ends, and a different set of rules (the Extended may be able to access Period) takes over.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security counts only gross earnings from work, not investment income, pensions, or other benefits.
- A work month is any month you earn $940 or more; months below that threshold do not count toward your nine months.
- Your nine work months do not need to be consecutive and can span multiple years.
- The $940 threshold changes each year, so you should verify the current amount before counting your work months.
- Once you complete nine work months, your Trial Work Period ends and Extended may be able to access rules begin.
How Social Security tracks your monthly earnings
You do not have to report your earnings to Social Security every month during your Trial Work Period — the agency obtains your earnings information from your tax records and from your employer's wage reports. However, you should keep your own records of what you earned each month so you can track your progress toward the end of your nine work months.
Social Security uses the month you earned the money, not the month you received the payment. If your employer pays you on the 15th of the following month, the earnings still count in the month you worked, not the month you were paid. This distinction matters if you are trying to figure out which months count toward your nine.
If you are self-employed, you report your net earnings (income minus business expenses) on your tax return, and Social Security uses that figure. Keep receipts and records of your business income and expenses so you can show Social Security how much you earned in each month if questions arise later.
The annual threshold and how it affects your calculation
Social Security adjusts the work month threshold each January based on changes in average wages. The $940 figure used here is an example; the actual threshold for the current year may be higher. You can find the current year's threshold on the Social Security website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
The threshold applies to all work months equally. Whether you earn $941 or $5,000 in a month, it counts as one work month if you cross the threshold. This means you could complete your nine work months relatively quickly if you earn well above the threshold each month, or it could take longer if your earnings hover just above it.
If you work part-time or your income varies month to month, plan ahead. Months with no earnings or earnings below the threshold do not count, so a month where you earn $500 does not move you closer to the end of your Trial Work Period.
What happens to your SSDI payment during the Trial Work Period
Your SSDI payment does not stop or reduce during your Trial Work Period, no matter how much you earn. You continue to receive your full monthly benefit while you work and use up your nine work months. This is the main purpose of the Trial Work Period — to let you test your ability to work without losing your benefits when ready.
After your nine work months end, the rules change. You enter the Extended may be able to access Period, during which your benefits will stop in any month you earn $1,550 or more (this figure also changes annually). But during the Trial Work Period itself, earnings do not affect your payment.
Tracking your nine work months: a practical example
Suppose you return to work in January and earn $1,200. That is one work month. In February you earn $800 — that does not count. In March you earn $950 — that is your second work month. You continue this way, counting only the months where you earn $940 or more.
If you reach your ninth work month in October, your Trial Work Period ends that month. You then have a grace month (November), during which you keep your full benefit even if you earn over the Extended may be able to access threshold. Starting in December, the Extended may be able to access rules take effect, and your benefit will stop in any month you earn $1,550 or more.
You do not have to do anything to "set up" the end of your Trial Work Period. Social Security tracks it automatically using the wage reports they receive from your employer and your tax filings.
Self-employment and how Social Security counts your income
If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit (revenue minus ordinary business expenses) as your earnings. You report this on your tax return, and Social Security uses that figure to determine your work months.
Self-employment income is trickier to track month by month because you may not know your exact net profit until you file your taxes. If you are self-employed and approaching the end of your Trial Work Period, keep detailed monthly records of income and expenses so you can estimate which months will count as work months.
If you have questions about whether a particular business expense reduces your net earnings, you can contact Social Security directly. They can explain how specific costs affect your calculation.
Common mistakes when counting work months
The most common error is counting a month as a work month when earnings fell below the threshold. If you earned $900 in a month, that month does not count, even though you worked. Only months with $940 or more count.
Another mistake is assuming your Trial Work Period must be nine consecutive months. It does not. You could work three months, take a break, work two more months, take another break, and so on. As long as you accumulate nine months with earnings at or above the threshold, your Trial Work Period is complete.
Some people also forget to account for the annual threshold change. If you worked during a year when the threshold was $930, and then work the following year when it is $940, you need to use the correct threshold for each year. Social Security handles this automatically, but you should be aware of it when tracking your own progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my SSDI payment change if I earn a lot of money during the Trial Work Period?
No. Your SSDI payment stays the same during your entire Trial Work Period, regardless of how much you earn. The Trial Work Period is designed to let you work and earn without losing benefits. Once the nine work months end, different rules explore.
If I take a month off from work, does that pause my Trial Work Period?
No. Your Trial Work Period does not pause. If you do not work in a month, or earn below the threshold, that month straightforward does not count as one of your nine work months. Your Trial Work Period continues until you accumulate nine may have access to months, which could take longer if you have gaps in work.
What if I earn exactly $940 in a month — does that count?
Yes. The threshold is $940 or more, so earning exactly $940 counts as a work month. Any amount at or above the threshold qualifies.
Can I use months from different years to make up my nine work months?
Yes. Your nine work months do not have to be in the same year or even consecutive. You could have work months in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and they would all count toward your Trial Work Period as long as they each meet the earnings threshold for their respective year.
Who tells me when my Trial Work Period ends?
Social Security tracks your work months automatically and will notify you when your nine months are complete. You will receive a notice explaining that your Trial Work Period has ended and describing the Extended may be able to access Period rules that now explore to your benefits.