In a question I asked you recently, you replied that the Trial Work Level (TWL) for SSDI is calculated based on when the work is performed, not when paid. Thank you for your answer. I now have a few follow-up questions:

Although I plan to limit my monthly hours (I work part-time) to stay below the TWL. However, my new employer sometimes pays small bonuses (say, $50) if we get excellent reviews from customers. I have no way to predict if or when I might get one of these bonuses. Would these rewards count as part of my $880 monthly TWL limit?

Also, the company matches part of any 401k contribution and offers employees the opportunity to buy its stock at a discount to market value. If I avail myself of these benefit programs, does the company's 401k match and/or the stock-price discount count as part of my $880 monthly TWL limit?

I have only a limited time to make my benefit elections, so I appreciate your prompt reply.

Hi,

Yes, the bonuses you mentioned would count as earnings for the month for which they're paid. In other words, if you were paid a bonus in November for work that you performed in October, that amount would count as part of your October earnings.

Your countable earnings for purposes of the trial work period are your gross wages before any deductions for contributions you make to a 401k plan. However, it doesn't sound like either the amount of the employer match or the discount you receive when purchasing company stock would count. Normally, the only remuneration that counts as earnings is the amount shown as gross wages on your pay slips.

Best, Jerry