Are you ready to rejoin the workforce? A trial work period allows you to test the waters. During a trial work period, a beneficiary receiving Social Security disability benefits may test his or her ability to work and still be considered disabled.
Social Security does not consider services performed during the trial work period as showing that the disability has ended until services have been performed in at least nine months (not necessarily all in a row) in a rolling 60-month period.
Earnings That Can Trigger a Trial Work Period
In 2024, any month in which earnings exceeded $1,110 was considered a month of service for an individual’s trial work period. In 2025, this monthly amount is $1,160.
| Year | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1978 & prior | $50 |
| 1979-1989 | 75 |
| 1990-2000 | 200 |
| 2001 | 530 |
| 2002 | 560 |
| 2003 | 570 |
| 2004 | 580 |
| 2005 | 590 |
| 2006 | 620 |
| 2007 | 640 |
| 2008 | 670 |
| 2009 | 700 |
| 2010 | 720 |
| 2011 | 720 |
| 2012 | 720 |
| 2013 | 750 |
| 2014 | 770 |
| 2015 | 780 |
| 2016 | 810 |
| 2017 | 840 |
| 2018 | 850 |
| 2019 | 880 |
| 2020 | 910 |
| 2021 | 940 |
| 2022 | 970 |
| 2023 | 1,050 |
| 2024 | 1,110 |
For more information, please see section 404.1592 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Method Used To Determine Earnings That Trigger a Trial Work period
Monthly earnings in 2025, used to determine whether a month is part of a trial work period, is such amount for 2001 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2023 to that for 1999, or, if larger, such amount for 2024 ($1,110). If the calculated amount is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10. Below are details on how the SSA determined the latest amount.
| Amounts in formula | 2001 monthly earnings | $530 |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 average wage index | 30,469.84 | |
| 2023 average wage index | 66,621.80 | |
| Computation | $530 times 66,621.80 divided by 30,469.84 equals $1,158.84, which rounds to $1,160 | |
| Higher amount | $1,160 exceeds the amount for 2024, so the amount for 2025 is $1,160 | |
