Ask Larry

Do I Need To Report My Earnings To Social Security?

I searched and searched online to find an answer to my only question and I came up empty handed. In my case my 9 moths Trial Work period is a done deal.
Do I have to REPORT to my Social Security Disability Office if I will never exceed to earn over $708/month BEFORE taxes? In other words, if I will stay under the allowed - limit after the Trial Work Period?
Thank you very much in advance!
Sincerely,
Robert B.

Hi Robert,

Yes, if you are drawing disability benefits, you should continue to report your earnings to Social Security.

Social Security receives a copy of your W-2 forms, however, that only tells them your calendar year earnings. They need a monthly breakdown of your earnings in order to determine if you've exceeded the substantial gainful activity limit (SGA) in any months. By the way, the SGA limit in 2017 is $1170 (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf).

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Apr 29 2017 - 3:50pm
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