§ 415. Computation of primary insurance amount
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Primary insurance amount
(1)(A) The primary insurance amount of an in-
dividual shall (except as otherwise provided in
this section) be equal to the sum of—
(i) 90 percent of the individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings (determined under
subsection (b)) to the extent that such earn-
ings do not exceed the amount established for
purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B),
(ii) 32 percent of the individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings to the extent that
such earnings exceed the amount established
for purposes of clause (i) but do not exceed the
amount established for purposes of this clause
by subparagraph (B), and
(iii) 15 percent of the individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings to the extent that
such earnings exceed the amount established
for purposes of clause (ii),
rounded, if not a multiple of $0.10, to the next
lower multiple of $0.10, and thereafter increased
as provided in subsection (i).
(B)(i) For individuals who initially become eli-
gible for old-age or disability insurance benefits,
or who die (before becoming eligible for such
benefits), in the calendar year 1979, the amount
established for purposes of clause (i) and (ii) of
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
subparagraph (A) shall be $180 and $1,085, respec-
tively.
(ii) For individuals who initially become eligi-
ble for old-age or disability insurance benefits,
or who die (before becoming eligible for such
benefits), in any calendar year after 1979, each of
the amounts so established shall equal the prod-
uct of the corresponding amount established
with respect to the calendar year 1979 under
clause (i) of this subparagraph and the quotient
obtaine
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Page 1991
TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
223(c)(1)(A), and 216(i)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act
shall be deemed to read ‘63’.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1961 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 87–64, title I, § 103(b), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat.
137, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by sub-
section (a) [amending this section] shall apply—
‘‘(1) in the case of monthly benefits under title II of
the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for
months beginning on or after the effective date of
this title [see note set out under section 402 of this
title], based on applications filed in or after March
1961,
‘‘(2) in the case of lump-sum death payments under
such title with respect to deaths on or after the effec-
tive date of this title, and
‘‘(3) in the case of an application for a disability de-
termination (with respect to a period of disability, as
defined in section 216(i) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 416(i)])
filed in or after March 1961.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1960 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 86–778, title II, § 204(d)(1), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 948, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
subsections (a) and (b) of this section [amending this
section and provisions set out as a note under section
415 of this title] shall be applicable (A) in the case of
monthly benefits under title II of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.], for months after the month
in which this Act is enacted [September 1960], on the
basis of applications filed in or after such month, (B) in
the case of lump-sum death payments under such title
with respect to deaths occurring after such month, and
(C) in the case of an application for a disability deter-
mination with respect to a period of disability (as de-
fined in section 216(i) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 416(i)]) filed after such month.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 205(l) of Pub. L. 85–840 applica-
ble with respect to monthly benefits under this sub-
chapter for months after August 1958, but only if an ap-
plication for such benefits is filed on or after Aug. 28,
1958, see section 207(a) of Pub. L. 85–840, set out as a
note under section 416 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1954 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 106(b) of act Sept. 1, 1954, ap-
plicable with respect to monthly benefits under sub-
chapter II of this chapter for months after June 1955,
and with respect to lump-sum death payments under
such subchapter in the case of deaths occurring after
June 1955; but that no recomputation of benefits by
reason of such amendments shall be regarded as a re-
computation for purposes of section 415(f) of this title,
see section 106(h) of act Sept. 1, 1954, set out as a note
under section 413 of this title.
EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATE OF 1952
AMENDMENT
For effective and termination dates of amendment by
act July 18, 1952, see section 3(f), (g) of act July 18, 1952,
set out as a note under section 413 of this title.
EMPLOYEES OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AS FULLY
INSURED INDIVIDUALS
Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 102(e), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 71,
as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2095, provided that:
‘‘(1) If any individual—
‘‘(A) on January 1, 1984, is age 55 or over, and is an
employee of an organization described in section
210(a)(8)(B) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
410(a)(8)(B)] (A) which does not have in effect (on that
date) a waiver certificate under section 3121(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]
[26 U.S.C. 3121(k)] and (B) to the employees of which
social security coverage is extended on January 1,
1984, solely by reason of the enactment of this section
[amending section 410 of this title and section 3121 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, and enacting provi-
sions set out as notes under section 3121 of Title 26],
and
‘‘(B) after December 31, 1983, acquires the number of
quarters of coverage (within the meaning of section
213 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 413]) which
is required for purposes of this subparagraph under
paragraph (2),
then such individual shall be deemed to be a fully in-
sured individual (as defined in section 214 of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 414]) for all of the purposes of
title II of such Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.].
‘‘(2) The number of quarters of coverage which is re-
quired for purposes of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)
shall be determined as follows:
‘‘In the case of an individual who on
January 1, 1984, is—
The number
of quarters
of coverage
so required
shall be—
age 60 or over .....................................
6
age 59 or over but less than age 60 .....
8
age 58 or over but less than age 59 .....
12
age 57 or over but less than age 58 .....
16
age 55 or over but less than age 57 .....
20.’’
DETERMINATION
OF ENTITLEMENT
TO MONTHLY BENE-
FITS FOR SEPT. 1960 AND PRIOR MONTHS AND INDIVID-
UAL’S CLOSING DATE PRIOR TO 1960
Pub. L. 86–778, title II, § 204(d)(2), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 948, provided that the provisions of subsec. (a) of
this section in effect prior to Sept. 13, 1960, and the pro-
visions of section 109 of act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, 68
Stat. 1084, set out as a note under section 415 of this
title, as in effect prior to such date were to apply for
purposes of determining entitlement to monthly bene-
fits under this subchapter for Sept. 1960 and prior
months with respect to wages and self-employment in-
come of an individual and for purposes of determining
an individual’s closing date prior to 1960 under section
415(b)(3)(B) of this title.
§ 415. Computation of primary insurance amount
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Primary insurance amount
(1)(A) The primary insurance amount of an in-
dividual shall (except as otherwise provided in
this section) be equal to the sum of—
(i) 90 percent of the individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings (determined under
subsection (b)) to the extent that such earn-
ings do not exceed the amount established for
purposes of this clause by subparagraph (B),
(ii) 32 percent of the individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings to the extent that
such earnings exceed the amount established
for purposes of clause (i) but do not exceed the
amount established for purposes of this clause
by subparagraph (B), and
(iii) 15 percent of the individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings to the extent that
such earnings exceed the amount established
for purposes of clause (ii),
rounded, if not a multiple of $0.10, to the next
lower multiple of $0.10, and thereafter increased
as provided in subsection (i).
(B)(i) For individuals who initially become eli-
gible for old-age or disability insurance benefits,
or who die (before becoming eligible for such
benefits), in the calendar year 1979, the amount
established for purposes of clause (i) and (ii) of
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
subparagraph (A) shall be $180 and $1,085, respec-
tively.
(ii) For individuals who initially become eligi-
ble for old-age or disability insurance benefits,
or who die (before becoming eligible for such
benefits), in any calendar year after 1979, each of
the amounts so established shall equal the prod-
uct of the corresponding amount established
with respect to the calendar year 1979 under
clause (i) of this subparagraph and the quotient
obtained by dividing—
(I) the national average wage index (as de-
fined in section 409(k)(1) of this title) for the
second calendar year preceding the calendar
year for which the determination is made, by
(II) the national average wage index (as so
defined) for 1977.
(iii) Each amount established under clause (ii)
for any calendar year shall be rounded to the
nearest $1, except that any amount so estab-
lished which is a multiple of $0.50 but not of $1
shall be rounded to the next higher $1.
(C)(i) No primary insurance amount computed
under subparagraph (A) may be less than an
amount equal to $11.50 multiplied by the individ-
ual’s years of coverage in excess of 10, or the in-
creased amount determined for purposes of this
clause under subsection (i).
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), the term ‘‘years
of coverage’’ with respect to any individual
means the number (not exceeding 30) equal to
the sum of (I) the number (not exceeding 14 and
disregarding any fraction) determined by divid-
ing (a) the total of the wages credited to such
individual (including wages deemed to be paid
prior to 1951 to such individual under section 417
of this title, compensation under the Railroad
Retirement Act of 1937 [45 U.S.C. 228a et seq.]
prior to 1951 which is creditable to such indi-
vidual pursuant to this subchapter, and wages
deemed to be paid prior to 1951 to such indi-
vidual under section 431 of this title) for years
after 1936 and before 1951 by (b) $900, plus (II) the
number equal to the number of years after 1950
each of which is a computation base year (with-
in the meaning of subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii)) and in
each of which he is credited with wages (includ-
ing wages deemed to be paid to such individual
under section 417 of this title, compensation
under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 or
1974 [45 U.S.C. 228a et seq., 231 et seq.] which is
creditable to such individual pursuant to this
subchapter, and wages deemed to be paid to such
individual under section 429 of this title) and
self-employment income of not less than 25 per-
cent (in the case of a year after 1950 and before
1978) of the maximum amount which (pursuant
to subsection (e)) may be counted for such year,
or 25 percent (in the case of a year after 1977 and
before 1991) or 15 percent (in the case of a year
after 1990) of the maximum amount which (pur-
suant to subsection (e)) could be counted for
such year if section 430 of this title as in effect
immediately prior to December 20, 1977, had re-
mained in effect without change (except that,
for purposes of subsection (b) of such section 430
of this title as so in effect, the reference to the
contribution and benefit base in paragraph (1) of
such subsection (b) shall be deemed a reference
to an amount equal to $45,000, each reference in
paragraph (2) of such subsection (b) to the aver-
age of the wages of all employees as reported to
the Secretary of the Treasury shall be deemed a
reference to the national average wage index (as
defined in section 409(k)(1) of this title), the ref-
erence to a preceding calendar year in paragraph
(2)(A) of such subsection (b) shall be deemed a
reference to the calendar year before the cal-
endar year in which the determination under
subsection (a) of such section 430 of this title is
made, and the reference to a calendar year in
paragraph (2)(B) of such subsection (b) shall be
deemed a reference to 1992).
(D) In each calendar year the Commissioner of
Social Security shall publish in the Federal Reg-
ister, on or before November 1, the formula for
computing benefits under this paragraph and for
adjusting wages and self-employment income
under subsection (b)(3) in the case of an indi-
vidual who becomes eligible for an old-age insur-
ance benefit, or (if earlier) becomes eligible for
a disability insurance benefit or dies, in the fol-
lowing year, and the national average wage
index (as defined in section 409(k)(1) of this title)
on which that formula is based.
(2)(A) A year shall not be counted as the year
of an individual’s death or eligibility for pur-
poses of this subsection or subsection (i) in any
case where such individual was entitled to a dis-
ability insurance benefit for any of the 12
months immediately preceding the month of
such death or eligibility (but there shall be
counted instead the year of the individual’s eli-
gibility for the disability insurance benefit or
benefits to which he was entitled during such 12
months).
(B) In the case of an individual who was enti-
tled to a disability insurance benefit for any of
the 12 months before the month in which he be-
came entitled to an old-age insurance benefit,
became reentitled to a disability insurance ben-
efit, or died, the primary insurance amount for
determining any benefit attributable to that en-
titlement, reentitlement, or death is the greater
of—
(i) the primary insurance amount upon
which such disability insurance benefit was
based, increased by the amount of each gen-
eral benefit increase (as defined in subsection
(i)(3)), and each increase provided under sub-
section (i)(2), that would have applied to such
primary insurance amount had the individual
remained entitled to such disability insurance
benefit until the month in which he became so
entitled or reentitled or died, or
(ii) the amount computed under paragraph
(1)(C).
(C) In the case of an individual who was enti-
tled to a disability insurance benefit for any
month, and with respect to whom a primary in-
surance amount is required to be computed at
any time after the close of the period of the in-
dividual’s disability (whether because of such in-
dividual’s subsequent entitlement to old-age in-
surance benefits or to a disability insurance
benefit based upon a subsequent period of dis-
ability, or because of such individual’s death),
the primary insurance amount so computed may
in no case be less than the primary insurance
amount with respect to which such former dis-
ability insurance benefit was most recently de-
termined.
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
(3)(A) Paragraph (1) applies only to an indi-
vidual who was not eligible for an old-age insur-
ance benefit prior to January 1979 and who in
that or any succeeding month—
(i) becomes eligible for such a benefit,
(ii) becomes eligible for a disability insur-
ance benefit, or
(iii) dies,
and (except for subparagraph (C)(i) thereof) it
applies to every such individual except to the
extent otherwise provided by paragraph (4).
(B) For purposes of this subchapter, an indi-
vidual is deemed to be eligible—
(i) for old-age insurance benefits, for months
beginning with the month in which he attains
age 62, or
(ii) for disability insurance benefits, for
months beginning with the month in which his
period of disability began as provided under
section 416(i)(2)(C) of this title,
except as provided in paragraph (2)(A) in cases
where fewer than 12 months have elapsed since
the termination of a prior period of disability.
(4) Paragraph (1) (except for subparagraph
(C)(i) thereof) does not apply to the computation
or
recomputation
of
a
primary
insurance
amount for—
(A) an individual who was eligible for a dis-
ability insurance benefit for a month prior to
January 1979 unless, prior to the month in
which occurs the event described in clause (i),
(ii), or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A), there occurs a
period of at least 12 consecutive months for
which he was not entitled to a disability insur-
ance benefit, or
(B) an individual who had wages or self-em-
ployment income credited for one or more
years prior to 1979, and who was not eligible
for an old-age or disability insurance benefit,
and did not die, prior to January 1979, if in the
year for which the computation or recomputa-
tion would be made the individual’s primary
insurance amount would be greater if com-
puted or recomputed—
(i) under this subsection as in effect in De-
cember 1978, for purposes of old-age insur-
ance benefits in the case of an individual
who becomes eligible for such benefits prior
to 1984, or
(ii) as provided by subsection (d), in the
case of an individual to whom such section
applies.
In determining whether an individual’s primary
insurance amount would be greater if computed
or recomputed as provided in subparagraph (B),
(I) the table of benefits in effect in December
1978, as modified by paragraph (6), shall be ap-
plied without regard to any increases in that
table which may become effective (in accord-
ance with subsection (i)(4)) for years after 1978
(subject to clause (iii) of subsection (i)(2)(A))
and (II) such individual’s average monthly wage
shall be computed as provided by subsection
(b)(4).
(5)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B), (C), (D)
and (E), for purposes of computing the primary
insurance amount (after December 1978) of an in-
dividual to whom paragraph (1) does not apply
(other than an individual described in paragraph
(4)(B)), this section as in effect in December 1978
shall remain in effect, except that, effective for
January 1979, the dollar amount specified in
paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be in-
creased to $11.50.
(B)(i) Subject to clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
primary insurance amount of any individual de-
scribed in subparagraph (C) shall be, in lieu of
the primary insurance amount as computed pur-
suant to any of the provisions referred to in sub-
paragraph (D), the primary insurance amount
computed under subsection (a) of this section as
in effect in December 1978, without regard to
subsections (b)(4) and (c) of this section as so in
effect.
(ii) The computation of a primary insurance
amount under this subparagraph shall be subject
to section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security
Amendments of 1972 (relating to the number of
elapsed years under subsection (b)).
(iii) In computing a primary insurance amount
under this subparagraph, the dollar amount
specified in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) (as in
effect in December 1978) shall be increased to
$11.50.
(iv) In the case of an individual to whom sub-
section (d) applies, the primary insurance
amount of such individual shall be the greater
of—
(I) the primary insurance amount computed
under the preceding clauses of this subpara-
graph, or
(II) the primary insurance amount computed
under subsection (d).
(C) An individual is described in this subpara-
graph if—
(i) paragraph (1) does not apply to such indi-
vidual by reason of such individual’s eligi-
bility for an old-age or disability insurance
benefit, or the individual’s death, prior to 1979,
and
(ii) such individual’s primary insurance
amount computed under this section as in ef-
fect immediately before November 5, 1990,
would have been computed under the provi-
sions described in subparagraph (D).
(D) The provisions described in this subpara-
graph are—
(i) the provisions of this subsection as in ef-
fect prior to July 30, 1965, if such provisions
would preclude the use of wages prior to 1951
in the computation of the primary insurance
amount,
(ii) the provisions of section 409 of this title
as in effect prior to August 28, 1950, and
(iii) the provisions of subsection (d) as in ef-
fect prior to December 20, 1977.
(E) For purposes of this paragraph, the table
for determining primary insurance amounts and
maximum family benefits contained in this sec-
tion in December 1978 shall be revised as pro-
vided by subsection (i) for each year after 1978.
(6)(A) In applying the table of benefits in ef-
fect in December 1978 under this section for pur-
poses of the last sentence of paragraph (4), such
table, revised as provided by subsection (i), as
applicable, shall be extended for average month-
ly wages of less than $76.00 and primary insur-
ance benefits (as determined under subsection
(d)) of less than $16.20.
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
(B) The Commissioner of Social Security shall
determine and promulgate in regulations the
methodology for extending the table under sub-
paragraph (A).
(b) Average indexed monthly earnings; average
monthly wage
(1) An individual’s average indexed monthly
earnings shall be equal to the quotient obtained
by dividing—
(A) the total (after adjustment under para-
graph (3)) of his wages paid in and self-employ-
ment income credited to his benefit computa-
tion years (determined under paragraph (2)),
by
(B) the number of months in those years.
(2)(A) The number of an individual’s benefit
computation years equals the number of elapsed
years reduced—
(i) in the case of an individual who is enti-
tled to old-age insurance benefits (except as
provided in the second sentence of this sub-
paragraph), or who has died, by 5 years, and
(ii) in the case of an individual who is enti-
tled to disability insurance benefits, by the
number of years equal to one-fifth of such in-
dividual’s elapsed years (disregarding any re-
sulting fractional part of a year), but not by
more than 5 years.
Clause (ii), once applicable with respect to any
individual, shall continue to apply for purposes
of determining such individual’s primary insur-
ance amount for purposes of any subsequent eli-
gibility for disability or old-age insurance bene-
fits unless prior to the month in which such eli-
gibility begins there occurs a period of at least
12 consecutive months for which he was not en-
titled to a disability or an old-age insurance
benefit. If an individual described in clause (ii)
is living with a child (of such individual or his
or her spouse) under the age of 3 in any calendar
year which is included in such individual’s com-
putation base years, but which is not dis-
regarded pursuant to clause (ii) or to subpara-
graph (B) (in determining such individual’s ben-
efit computation years) by reason of the reduc-
tion in the number of such individual’s elapsed
years under clause (ii), the number by which
such elapsed years are reduced under this sub-
paragraph pursuant to clause (ii) shall be in-
creased by one (up to a combined total not ex-
ceeding 3) for each such calendar year; except
that (I) no calendar year shall be disregarded by
reason of this sentence (in determining such in-
dividual’s benefit computation years) unless the
individual was living with such child substan-
tially throughout the period in which the child
was alive and under the age of 3 in such year and
the individual had no earnings as described in
section 403(f)(5) of this title in such year, (II) the
particular calendar years to be disregarded
under this sentence (in determining such benefit
computation years) shall be those years (not
otherwise disregarded under clause (ii)) which,
before the application of subsection (f), meet the
conditions of subclause (I), and (III) this sen-
tence shall apply only to the extent that its ap-
plication would not result in a lower primary in-
surance amount. The number of an individual’s
benefit computation years as determined under
this subparagraph shall in no case be less than
2.
(B) For purposes of this subsection with re-
spect to any individual—
(i) the term ‘‘benefit computation years’’
means those computation base years, equal in
number to the number determined under sub-
paragraph (A), for which the total of such indi-
vidual’s wages and self-employment income,
after adjustment under paragraph (3), is the
largest;
(ii) the term ‘‘computation base years’’
means the calendar years after 1950 and be-
fore—
(I) in the case of an individual entitled to
old-age insurance benefits, the year in which
occurred (whether by reason of section
402(j)(1) of this title or otherwise) the first
month of that entitlement; or
(II) in the case of an individual who has
died (without having become entitled to old-
age insurance benefits), the year succeeding
the year of his death;
except that such term excludes any calendar
year entirely included in a period of disability;
and
(iii) the term ‘‘number of elapsed years’’
means (except as otherwise provided by sec-
tion 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amend-
ments of 1972) the number of calendar years
after 1950 (or, if later, the year in which the in-
dividual attained age 21) and before the year
in which the individual died, or, if it occurred
earlier (but after 1960), the year in which he
attained age 62; except that such term ex-
cludes any calendar year any part of which is
included in a period of disability.
(3)(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B),
the wages paid in and self-employment income
credited to each of an individual’s computation
base years for purposes of the selection there-
from of benefit computation years under para-
graph (2) shall be deemed to be equal to the
product of—
(i) the wages and self-employment income
paid in or credited to such year (as determined
without regard to this subparagraph), and
(ii) the quotient obtained by dividing—
(I) the national average wage index (as de-
fined in section 409(k)(1) of this title) for the
second calendar year preceding the earliest
of the year of the individual’s death, eligi-
bility for an old-age insurance benefit, or
eligibility for a disability insurance benefit
(except that the year in which the individual
dies, or becomes eligible, shall not be consid-
ered as such year if the individual was enti-
tled to disability insurance benefits for any
month in the 12-month period immediately
preceding such death or eligibility, but there
shall be counted instead the year of the indi-
vidual’s eligibility for the disability insur-
ance benefit to which he was entitled in such
12-month period), by
(II) the national average wage index (as so
defined) for the computation base year for
which the determination is made.
(B) Wages paid in or self-employment income
credited to an individual’s computation base
year which—
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
(i) occurs after the second calendar year
specified in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), or
(ii) is a year treated under subsection
(f)(2)(C) as though it were the last year of the
period specified in paragraph (2)(B)(ii),
shall be available for use in determining an indi-
vidual’s benefit computation years, but without
applying subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(4) For purposes of determining the average
monthly wage of an individual whose primary
insurance amount is computed (after 1978) under
subsection (a) or (d) as in effect (except with re-
spect to the table contained therein) in Decem-
ber 1978, by reason of subsection (a)(4)(B), this
subsection as in effect in December 1978 shall re-
main in effect, except that paragraph (2)(C) (as
then in effect) shall be deemed to provide that
‘‘computation base years’’ include only calendar
years in the period after 1950 (or 1936, if applica-
ble) and prior to the year in which occurred the
first month for which the individual was eligible
(as defined in subsection (a)(3)(B) as in effect in
January 1979) for an old-age or disability insur-
ance benefit, or, if earlier, the year in which he
died. Any calendar year all of which is included
in a period of disability shall not be included as
a computation base year for such purposes.
(c) Application of prior provisions in certain
cases
Subject to the amendments made by section
5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1990, this subsection as in effect in December
1978 shall remain in effect with respect to an in-
dividual to whom subsection (a)(1) does not
apply by reason of the individual’s eligibility for
an old-age or disability insurance benefit, or the
individual’s death, prior to 1979.
(d) Primary insurance amount under 1939 Act
(1) For purposes of column I of the table ap-
pearing in subsection (a), as that subsection was
in effect in December 1977, an individual’s pri-
mary insurance benefit shall be computed as fol-
lows:
(A) The individual’s average monthly wage
shall be determined as provided in subsection
(b), as in effect in December 1977 (but without
regard to paragraph (4) thereof and subject to
section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amend-
ments of 1972), except that for purposes of
paragraphs (2)(C) and (3) of that subsection (as
so in effect) 1936 shall be used instead of 1950.
(B) For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and
(C) of subsection (b)(2) (as so in effect)—
(i) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined
in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) of an
individual—
(I) shall, in the case of an individual who
attained age 21 prior to 1950, be divided by
the number of years (hereinafter in this
subparagraph referred to as the ‘‘divisor’’)
elapsing after the year in which the indi-
vidual attained age 20, or 1936 if later, and
prior to the earlier of the year of death or
1951, except that such divisor shall not in-
clude any calendar year entirely included
in a period of disability, and in no case
shall the divisor be less than one, and
(II) shall, in the case of an individual
who died before 1950 and before attaining
age 21, be divided by the number of years
(hereinafter in this subparagraph referred
to as the ‘‘divisor’’) elapsing after the sec-
ond year prior to the year of death, or 1936
if later, and prior to the year of death, and
in no case shall the divisor be less than
one; and
(ii) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined
in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) of an
individual who either attained age 21 after
1949 or died after 1949 before attaining age 21,
shall be divided by the number of years
(hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to
as the ‘‘divisor’’) elapsing after 1949 and
prior to 1951.
The quotient so obtained shall be deemed to be
the individual’s wages credited to each of the
years which were used in computing the
amount of the divisor, except that—
(iii) if the quotient exceeds $3,000, only
$3,000 shall be deemed to be the individual’s
wages for each of the years which were used
in computing the amount of the divisor, and
the remainder of the individual’s total wages
prior to 1951 (I) if less than $3,000, shall be
deemed credited to the computation base
year (as defined in subsection (b)(2) as in ef-
fect in December 1977) immediately pre-
ceding the earliest year used in computing
the amount of the divisor, or (II) if $3,000 or
more, shall be deemed credited, in $3,000 in-
crements, to the computation base year (as
so defined) immediately preceding the ear-
liest year used in computing the amount of
the divisor and to each of the computation
base years (as so defined) consecutively pre-
ceding that year, with any remainder less
than $3,000 being credited to the computa-
tion base year (as so defined) immediately
preceding the earliest year to which a full
$3,000 increment was credited; and
(iv) no more than $42,000 may be taken
into account, for purposes of this subpara-
graph, as total wages after 1936 and prior to
1951.
(C) For the purposes of subparagraph (B),
‘‘total wages prior to 1951’’ with respect to an
individual means the sum of (i) remuneration
credited to such individual prior to 1951 on the
records of the Commissioner of Social Secu-
rity, (ii) wages deemed paid prior to 1951 to
such individual under section 417 of this title,
(iii) compensation under the Railroad Retire-
ment Act of 1937 [45 U.S.C. 228a et seq.] prior
to 1951 creditable to him pursuant to this sub-
chapter, and (iv) wages deemed paid prior to
1951 to such individual under section 431 of
this title.
(D) The individual’s primary insurance ben-
efit shall be 40 percent of the first $50 of his
average monthly wage as computed under this
subsection, plus 10 percent of the next $200 of
his average monthly wage, increased by 1 per-
cent for each increment year. The number of
increment years is the number, not more than
14 nor less than 4, that is equal to the individ-
ual’s total wages prior to 1951 divided by $1,650
(disregarding any fraction).
(2) The provisions of this subsection shall be
applicable only in the case of an individual—
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
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(A) with respect to whom at least one of the
quarters elapsing prior to 1951 is a quarter of
coverage;
(B) who attained age 22 after 1950 and with
respect to whom less than six of the quarters
elapsing after 1950 are quarters of coverage, or
who attained such age before 1951; and
(C)(i) who becomes entitled to benefits under
section 402(a) or 423 of this title or who dies, or
(ii) whose primary insurance amount is re-
quired to be recomputed under paragraph (2),
(6), or (7) of subsection (f) or under section 431
of this title.
(e) Certain wages and self-employment income
not to be counted
For the purposes of subsections (b) and (d)—
(1) in computing an individual’s average in-
dexed monthly earnings or, in the case of an
individual whose primary insurance amount is
computed under subsection (a) as in effect
prior to January 1979, average monthly wage,
there shall not be counted the excess over
$3,600 in the case of any calendar year after
1950 and before 1955, the excess over $4,200 in
the case of any calendar year after 1954 and be-
fore 1959, the excess over $4,800 in the case of
any calendar year after 1958 and before 1966,
the excess over $6,600 in the case of any cal-
endar year after 1965 and before 1968, the ex-
cess over $7,800 in the case of any calendar
year after 1967 and before 1972, the excess over
$9,000 in the case of any calendar year after
1971 and before 1973, the excess over $10,800 in
the case of any calendar year after 1972 and be-
fore 1974, the excess over $13,200 in the case of
any calendar year after 1973 and before 1975,
and the excess over an amount equal to the
contribution and benefit base (as determined
under section 430 of this title) in the case of
any calendar year after 1974 with respect to
which such contribution and benefit base is ef-
fective, (before the application, in the case of
average indexed monthly earnings, of sub-
section (b)(3)(A)) of (A) the wages paid to him
in such year, plus (B) the self-employment in-
come credited to such year (as determined
under section 412 of this title); and
(2) if an individual’s average indexed month-
ly earnings or, in the case of an individual
whose primary insurance amount is computed
under subsection (a) as in effect prior to Janu-
ary 1979, average monthly wage, computed
under subsection (b) or for the purposes of sub-
section (d) is not a multiple of $1, it shall be
reduced to the next lower multiple of $1.
(f) Recomputation of benefits
(1) After an individual’s primary insurance
amount has been determined under this section,
there shall be no recomputation of such individ-
ual’s primary insurance amount except as pro-
vided in this subsection or, in the case of a
World War II veteran who died prior to July 27,
1954, as provided in section 417(b) of this title.
(2)(A) If an individual has wages or self-em-
ployment income for a year after 1978 for any
part of which he is entitled to old-age or dis-
ability insurance benefits, the Commissioner of
Social Security shall, at such time or times and
within such period as the Commissioner may by
regulation prescribe, recompute the individual’s
primary insurance amount for that year.
(B) For the purpose of applying subparagraph
(A) of subsection (a)(1) to the average indexed
monthly earnings of an individual to whom that
subsection applies and who receives a recompu-
tation under this paragraph, there shall be used,
in lieu of the amounts established by subsection
(a)(1)(B) for purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of
subsection (a)(1)(A), the amounts so established
that were (or, in the case of an individual de-
scribed in subsection (a)(4)(B), would have been)
used in the computation of such individual’s pri-
mary insurance amount prior to the application
of this subsection.
(C) A recomputation of any individual’s pri-
mary insurance amount under this paragraph
shall be made as provided in subsection (a)(1) as
though the year with respect to which it is made
is the last year of the period specified in sub-
section (b)(2)(B)(ii); and subsection (b)(3)(A)
shall apply with respect to any such recomputa-
tion as it applied in the computation of such in-
dividual’s primary insurance amount prior to
the application of this subsection.
(D) A recomputation under this paragraph
with respect to any year shall be effective—
(i) in the case of an individual who did not
die in that year, for monthly benefits begin-
ning with benefits for January of the following
year; or
(ii) in the case of an individual who died in
that year, for monthly benefits beginning with
benefits for the month in which he died.
(3) Repealed. Pub. L. 95–216, title II, § 201(f)(2),
Dec. 20, 1977, 91 Stat. 1521.
(4) A recomputation shall be effective under
this subsection only if it increases the primary
insurance amount by at least $1.
(5) In the case of a man who became entitled
to old-age insurance benefits and died before the
month in which he attained retirement age (as
defined in section 416(l) of this title), the Com-
missioner of Social Security shall recompute his
primary insurance amount as provided in sub-
section (a) as though he became entitled to old-
age insurance benefits in the month in which he
died; except that (i) his computation base years
referred to in subsection (b)(2) shall include the
year in which he died, and (ii) his elapsed years
referred to in subsection (b)(3) shall not include
the year in which he died or any year thereafter.
Such recomputation of such primary insurance
amount shall be effective for and after the
month in which he died.
(6) Upon the death after 1967 of an individual
entitled to benefits under section 402(a) or sec-
tion 423 of this title, if any person is entitled to
monthly benefits or a lump-sum death payment,
on the wages and self-employment income of
such individual, the Commissioner of Social Se-
curity shall recompute the decedent’s primary
insurance amount, but only if the decedent dur-
ing his lifetime was paid compensation which
was treated under section 405(o) of this title as
remuneration for employment.
(7) This subsection as in effect in December
1978 shall continue to apply to the recomputa-
tion of a primary insurance amount computed
under subsection (a) or (d) as in effect (without
regard to the table in subsection (a)) in that
month, and, where appropriate, under subsection
(d) as in effect in December 1977, including a pri-
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
mary insurance amount computed under any
such subsection whose operation is modified as a
result of the amendments made by section 5117
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1990. For purposes of recomputing a primary in-
surance amount determined under subsection (a)
or (d) (as so in effect) in the case of an indi-
vidual to whom those subsections apply by rea-
son of subsection (a)(4)(B) as in effect after De-
cember 1978, no remuneration shall be taken
into account for the year in which the indi-
vidual initially became eligible for an old-age or
disability insurance benefit or died, or for any
year thereafter, and (effective January 1982) the
recomputation shall be modified by the applica-
tion of subsection (a)(6) where applicable.
(8) The Commissioner of Social Security shall
recompute the primary insurance amounts ap-
plicable to beneficiaries whose benefits are
based on a primary insurance amount which was
computed under subsection (a)(3) effective prior
to January 1979, or would have been so computed
if the dollar amount specified therein were
$11.50. Such recomputation shall be effective
January 1979, and shall include the effect of the
increase in the dollar amount provided by sub-
section (a)(1)(C)(i). Such primary insurance
amount shall be deemed to be provided under
such section for purposes of subsection (i).
(g) Rounding of benefits
The amount of any monthly benefit computed
under section 402 or 423 of this title which (after
any reduction under sections 403(a) and 424a of
this title and any deduction under section 403(b)
of this title, and after any deduction under sec-
tion 1395s(a)(1) of this title) is not a multiple of
$1 shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of
$1.
(h) Service of certain Public Health Service Offi-
cers
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-
chapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, remuneration
paid for service to which the provisions of sec-
tion 410(l)(1) of this title are applicable and
which is performed by an individual as a com-
missioned officer of the Reserve Corps of the
Public Health Service prior to July 1, 1960, shall
not be included in computing entitlement to or
the amount of any monthly benefit under this
subchapter, on the basis of his wages and self-
employment income, for any month after June
1960 and prior to the first month with respect to
which the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management certifies to the Commissioner of
Social Security that, by reason of a waiver filed
as provided in paragraph (2), no further annuity
will be paid to him, his wife, and his children,
or, if he has died, to his widow and children,
under subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5 on
the basis of such service.
(2) In the case of a monthly benefit for a
month prior to that in which the individual, on
whose wages and self-employment income such
benefit is based, dies, the waiver must be filed
by such individual; and such waiver shall be ir-
revocable and shall constitute a waiver on be-
half of himself, his wife, and his children. If such
individual did not file such a waiver before he
died, then in the case of a benefit for the month
in which he died or any month thereafter, such
waiver must be filed by his widow, if any, and by
or on behalf of all his children, if any; and such
waivers shall be irrevocable. Such a waiver by a
child shall be filed by his legal guardian or
guardians, or, in the absence thereof, by the per-
son (or persons) who has the child in his care.
(i) Cost-of-living increases in benefits
(1) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term ‘‘base quarter’’ means (i) the
calendar quarter ending on September 30 in
each year after 1982, or (ii) any other calendar
quarter in which occurs the effective month of
a general benefit increase under this sub-
chapter;
(B) the term ‘‘cost-of-living computation
quarter’’ means a base quarter, as defined in
subparagraph (A)(i), with respect to which the
applicable increase percentage is greater than
zero; except that there shall be no cost-of-liv-
ing computation quarter in any calendar year
if in the year prior to such year a law has been
enacted providing a general benefit increase
under this subchapter or if in such prior year
such a general benefit increase becomes effec-
tive;
(C) the term ‘‘applicable increase percent-
age’’ means—
(i) with respect to a base quarter or cost-
of-living computation quarter in any cal-
endar year before 1984, or in any calendar
year after 1983 and before 1989 for which the
OASDI fund ratio is 15.0 percent or more, or
in any calendar year after 1988 for which the
OASDI fund ratio is 20.0 percent or more, the
CPI increase percentage; and
(ii) with respect to a base quarter or cost-
of-living computation quarter in any cal-
endar year after 1983 and before 1989 for
which the OASDI fund ratio is less than 15.0
percent, or in any calendar year after 1988
for which the OASDI fund ratio is less than
20.0 percent, the CPI increase percentage or
the wage increase percentage, whichever
(with respect to that quarter) is the lower;
(D) the term ‘‘CPI increase percentage’’,
with respect to a base quarter or cost-of-living
computation quarter in any calendar year,
means the percentage (rounded to the nearest
one-tenth of 1 percent) by which the Consumer
Price Index for that quarter (as prepared by
the Department of Labor) exceeds such index
for the most recent prior calendar quarter
which was a base quarter under subparagraph
(A)(ii) or, if later, the most recent cost-of-liv-
ing computation quarter under subparagraph
(B);
(E) the term ‘‘wage increase percentage’’,
with respect to a base quarter or cost-of-living
computation quarter in any calendar year,
means the percentage (rounded to the nearest
one-tenth of 1 percent) by which the national
average wage index (as defined in section
409(k)(1) of this title) for the year immediately
preceding such calendar year exceeds such
index for the year immediately preceding the
most recent prior calendar year which in-
cluded a base quarter under subparagraph
(A)(ii) or, if later, which included a cost-of-liv-
ing computation quarter;
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
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1 So in original. Probably should be followed by ‘‘and’’.
(F) the term ‘‘OASDI fund ratio’’, with re-
spect to any calendar year, means the ratio
of—
(i) the combined balance in the Federal
Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund
and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust
Fund as of the beginning of such year, in-
cluding the taxes transferred under section
401(a) of this title on the first day of such
year and reduced by the outstanding amount
of any loan (including interest thereon)
theretofore made to either such Fund from
the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
under section 401(l) of this title, to
(ii) the total amount which (as estimated
by the Commissioner of Social Security) will
be paid from the Federal Old-Age and Sur-
vivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal
Disability Insurance Trust Fund during such
calendar year for all purposes authorized by
section 401 of this title (other than payments
of interest on, or repayments of, loans from
the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
under section 401(l) of this title), but exclud-
ing any transfer payments between such
trust funds and reducing the amount of any
transfers to the Railroad Retirement Ac-
count by the amount of any transfers into
either such trust fund from that Account; 1
(G) the Consumer Price Index for a base
quarter, a cost-of-living computation quarter,
or any other calendar quarter shall be the ar-
ithmetical mean of such index for the 3
months in such quarter.
(2)(A)(i) The Commissioner of Social Security
shall determine each year beginning with 1975
(subject to the limitation in paragraph (1)(B))
whether the base quarter (as defined in para-
graph (1)(A)(i)) in such year is a cost-of-living
computation quarter.
(ii) If the Commissioner of Social Security de-
termines that the base quarter in any year is a
cost-of-living computation quarter, the Commis-
sioner shall, effective with the month of Decem-
ber of that year as provided in subparagraph (B),
increase—
(I) the benefit amount to which individuals
are entitled for that month under section 427
or 428 of this title,
(II) the primary insurance amount of each
other individual on which benefit entitlement
is based under this subchapter, and
(III) the amount of total monthly benefits
based on any primary insurance amount which
is permitted under section 403 of this title (and
such total shall be increased, unless otherwise
so increased under another provision of this
subchapter, at the same time as such primary
insurance amount) or, in the case of a primary
insurance amount computed under subsection
(a) as in effect (without regard to the table
contained therein) prior to January 1979, the
amount to which the beneficiaries may be en-
titled under section 403 of this title as in effect
in December 1978, except as provided by sec-
tion 403(a)(7) and (8) of this title as in effect
after December 1978.
The increase shall be derived by multiplying
each of the amounts described in subdivisions
(I), (II), and (III) (including each of those
amounts as previously increased under this sub-
paragraph) by the applicable increase percent-
age; and any amount so increased that is not a
multiple of $0.10 shall be decreased to the next
lower multiple of $0.10. Any increase under this
subsection in a primary insurance amount de-
termined under subparagraph (C)(i) of sub-
section (a)(1) shall be applied after the initial
determination
of
such
primary
insurance
amount under that subparagraph (with the
amount of such increase, in the case of an indi-
vidual who becomes eligible for old-age or dis-
ability insurance benefits or dies in a calendar
year after 1979, being determined from the range
of possible primary insurance amounts pub-
lished by the Commissioner of Social Security
under the last sentence of subparagraph (D)).
(iii) In the case of an individual who becomes
eligible for an old-age or disability insurance
benefit, or who dies prior to becoming so eligi-
ble, in a year in which there occurs an increase
provided under clause (ii), the individual’s pri-
mary insurance amount (without regard to the
time of entitlement to that benefit) shall be in-
creased (unless otherwise so increased under an-
other provision of this subchapter and, with re-
spect to a primary insurance amount deter-
mined under subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)(I) in the case
of an individual to whom that subsection (as in
effect in December 1981) applied, subject to the
provisions of subsection (a)(1)(C)(i) and clauses
(iv) and (v) of this subparagraph (as then in ef-
fect)) by the amount of that increase and subse-
quent applicable increases, but only with re-
spect to benefits payable for months after No-
vember of that year.
(B) The increase provided by subparagraph (A)
with respect to a particular cost-of-living com-
putation quarter shall apply in the case of
monthly benefits under this subchapter for
months after November of the calendar year in
which occurred such cost-of-living computation
quarter, and in the case of lump-sum death pay-
ments with respect to deaths occurring after No-
vember of such calendar year.
(C)(i) Whenever the Commissioner of Social
Security determines that a base quarter in a
calendar year is also a cost-of-living computa-
tion quarter, the Commissioner shall notify the
House Committee on Ways and Means and the
Senate Committee on Finance of such deter-
mination within 30 days after the close of such
quarter, indicating the amount of the benefit in-
crease to be provided, the Commissioner’s esti-
mate of the extent to which the cost of such in-
crease would be met by an increase in the con-
tribution and benefit base under section 430 of
this title and the estimated amount of the in-
crease in such base, the actuarial estimates of
the effect of such increase, and the actuarial as-
sumptions and methodology used in preparing
such estimates.
(ii) The Commissioner of Social Security shall
determine and promulgate the OASDI fund ratio
for the current calendar year on or before No-
vember 1 of the current calendar year, based
upon the most recent data then available. The
Commissioner of Social Security shall include a
statement of the fund ratio and the national av-
erage wage index (as defined in section 409(k)(1)
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
of this title) and a statement of the effect such
ratio and the level of such index may have upon
benefit increases under this subsection in any
notification made under clause (i) and any de-
termination published under subparagraph (D).
(D) If the Commissioner of Social Security de-
termines that a base quarter in a calendar year
is also a cost-of-living computation quarter, the
Commissioner shall publish in the Federal Reg-
ister within 45 days after the close of such quar-
ter a determination that a benefit increase is re-
sultantly required and the percentage thereof.
The Commissioner shall also publish in the Fed-
eral Register at that time (i) a revision of the
range of the primary insurance amounts which
are possible after the application of this sub-
section based on the dollar amount specified in
subparagraph (C)(i) of subsection (a)(1) (with
such revised primary insurance amounts consti-
tuting the increased amounts determined for
purposes of such subparagraph (C)(i) under this
subsection), or specified in subsection (a)(3) as in
effect prior to 1979, and (ii) a revision of the
range of maximum family benefits which cor-
respond to such primary insurance amounts
(with such maximum benefits being effective
notwithstanding section 403(a) of this title ex-
cept for paragraph (3)(B) thereof (or paragraph
(2) thereof as in effect prior to 1979)). Notwith-
standing the preceding sentence, such revision
of maximum family benefits shall be subject to
paragraph (6) of section 403(a) of this title (as
added by section 101(a)(3) of the Social Security
Disability Amendments of 1980).
(3) As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘gen-
eral benefit increase under this subchapter’’
means an increase (other than an increase under
this
subsection)
in
all
primary
insurance
amounts on which monthly insurance benefits
under this subchapter are based.
(4) This subsection as in effect in December
1978, and as amended by sections 111(a)(6),
111(b)(2), and 112 of the Social Security Amend-
ments of 1983 and by section 9001 of the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, shall con-
tinue to apply to subsections (a) and (d), as then
in effect and as amended by section 5117 of the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, for
purposes of computing the primary insurance
amount of an individual to whom subsection (a),
as in effect after December 1978, does not apply
(including an individual to whom subsection (a)
does not apply in any year by reason of para-
graph (4)(B) of that subsection (but the applica-
tion of this subsection in such cases shall be
modified by the application of subdivision (I) in
the last sentence of paragraph (4) of that sub-
section)), except that for this purpose, in apply-
ing paragraphs (2)(A)(ii), (2)(D)(iv), and (2)(D)(v)
of this subsection as in effect in December 1978,
the phrase ‘‘increased to the next higher mul-
tiple of $0.10’’ shall be deemed to read ‘‘de-
creased to the next lower multiple of $0.10’’. For
purposes
of
computing
primary
insurance
amounts and maximum family benefits (other
than primary insurance amounts and maximum
family benefits for individuals to whom such
paragraph (4)(B) applies), the Commissioner of
Social Security shall revise the table of benefits
contained in subsection (a), as in effect in De-
cember 1978, in accordance with the require-
ments of paragraph (2)(D) of this subsection as
then in effect, except that the requirement in
such paragraph (2)(D) that the Commissioner of
Social Security publish such revision of the
table of benefits in the Federal Register shall
not apply.
(5)(A) If—
(i) with respect to any calendar year the
‘‘applicable increase percentage’’ was deter-
mined under clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(C)
rather than under clause (i) of such paragraph,
and the increase becoming effective under
paragraph (2) in such year was accordingly de-
termined on the basis of the wage increase
percentage rather than the CPI increase per-
centage (or there was no such increase becom-
ing effective under paragraph (2) in that year
because there was no wage increase percentage
greater than zero), and
(ii) for any subsequent calendar year in
which an increase under paragraph (2) becomes
effective the OASDI fund ratio is greater than
32.0 percent,
then each of the amounts described in subdivi-
sions (I), (II), and (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), as
increased under paragraph (2) effective with the
month of December in such subsequent calendar
year, shall be further increased (effective with
such month) by an additional percentage, which
shall be determined under subparagraph (B) and
shall apply as provided in subparagraph (C). Any
amount so increased that is not a multiple of
$0.10 shall be decreased to the next lower mul-
tiple of $0.10.
(B) The applicable additional percentage by
which the amounts described in subdivisions (I),
(II), and (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) are to be fur-
ther increased under subparagraph (A) in the
subsequent calendar year involved shall be the
amount derived by—
(i) subtracting (I) the compounded percent-
age benefit increases that were actually paid
under paragraph (2) and this paragraph from
(II) the compounded percentage benefit in-
creases that would have been paid if all in-
creases under paragraph (2) had been made on
the basis of the CPI increase percentage,
(ii) dividing the difference by the sum of the
compounded percentage in clause (i)(I) and 100
percent, and
(iii) multiplying such quotient by 100 so as
to yield such applicable additional percentage
(which shall be rounded to the nearest one-
tenth of 1 percent),
with the compounded increases referred to in
clause (i) being measured—
(iv) in the case of amounts described in sub-
division (I) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), over the pe-
riod beginning with the calendar year in which
monthly benefits described in such subdivision
were first increased on the basis of the wage
increase percentage and ending with the year
before such subsequent calendar year, and
(v) in the case of amounts described in sub-
divisions (II) and (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii),
over the period beginning with the calendar
year in which the individual whose primary
insurance amount is increased under such sub-
division (II) became eligible (as defined in sub-
section (a)(3)(B)) for the old-age or disability
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
insurance benefit that is being increased under
this subsection, or died before becoming so eli-
gible, and ending with the year before such
subsequent calendar year;
except that if the Commissioner of Social Secu-
rity determines in any case that the application
(in accordance with subparagraph (C)) of the ad-
ditional percentage as computed under the pre-
ceding provisions of this subparagraph would
cause the OASDI fund ratio to fall below 32.0
percent in the calendar year immediately fol-
lowing such subsequent year, the Commissioner
shall reduce such applicable additional percent-
age to the extent necessary to ensure that the
OASDI fund ratio will remain at or above 32.0
percent through the end of such following year.
(C) Any applicable additional percentage in-
crease in an amount described in subdivision (I),
(II), or (III) of paragraph (2)(A)(ii), made under
this paragraph in any calendar year, shall there-
after be treated for all the purposes of this chap-
ter as a part of the increase made in such
amount under paragraph (2) for that year.
(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title II, § 215, as added Aug.
28, 1950, ch. 809, title I, § 104(a), 64 Stat. 492, 506;
amended July 18, 1952, ch. 945, §§ 2(a), (b)(1), 3(c),
6(a), (b), 66 Stat. 767, 768, 770, 771, 776; Sept. 1,
1954, ch. 1206, title I, §§ 102(a)–(d), (e)(1)–(4),
104(d), 106(c), 68 Stat. 1062–1068, 1078, 1079; Aug. 1,
1956, ch. 836, title I, §§ 103(c)(4), (5), 109(a),
115(a)–(c), 70 Stat. 818, 830, 832, 833; Pub. L.
85–840, title I, §§ 101(a)–(d), 102(d), title II,
§ 205(m), Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 1013–1016, 1020,
1025; Pub. L. 86–415, § 7, Apr. 8, 1960, 74 Stat. 35;
Pub. L. 86–778, title I, § 103(j)(2)(C), title II,
§ 211(n), title III, §§ 303(a)–(e), 304(a), Sept. 13,
1960, 74 Stat. 937, 958, 960–962, 966; Pub. L. 87–64,
title I, §§ 101(a), 102(d), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 131,
135; Pub. L. 89–97, title III, §§ 301(a), (b),
302(a)–(d), 303(e), 304(k), 320(a)(4), July 30, 1965, 79
Stat. 361, 363–365, 367, 370, 393; Pub. L. 90–248,
title I, §§ 101(a), (c), (d), 108(a)(4), 155(a)(1)–(6),
title IV, § 403(b), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 824, 827, 834,
864, 865, 931; Pub. L. 91–172, title X, § 1002(a), (c),
(d), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 737, 740; Pub. L. 92–5,
title II, §§ 201(a), (c), (d), 203(a)(4), Mar. 17, 1971,
85 Stat. 6, 9, 10; Pub. L. 92–336, title II, §§ 201(a),
(c)–(f), 202(a)(1), (3), 203(a)(4), July 1, 1972, 86
Stat. 406, 410–412, 416, 418; Pub. L. 92–603, title I,
§§ 101(a), (c)–(e), 104(b), 134, 142(b), (c), 144(a)(1),
Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1333, 1334, 1340, 1362, 1368,
1369; Pub. L. 93–66, title II, § 203(a)(4), July 9,
1973, 87 Stat. 153; Pub. L. 93–233, §§ 1(h)(1), 2(a),
3(a)–(h), 5(a)(4), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 948, 952, 953;
Pub. L. 95–216, title I, § 103(d), title II, § 201, Dec.
20, 1977, 91 Stat. 1514, 1519; Pub. L. 96–265, title I,
§§ 101(b)(3), (4), 102(a), June 9, 1980, 94 Stat. 442,
443; Pub. L. 96–473, § 6(d), Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat.
2265; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXII, §§ 2201(a), (b)(1)–(9),
(c)(1)–(5), 2206(a), (b)(5)–(7), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat.
830, 831, 838; Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(a)–(d), Dec. 29,
1981, 95 Stat. 1660; Pub. L. 98–21, title I,
§§ 111(a)(1)–(3), (6), (b)(1), (2), (c), 112(a)–(d),
113(a)–(c), title II, § 201(c)(1)(C), Apr. 20, 1983, 97
Stat. 72–78, 109; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI,
§§ 2661(k), 2663(a)(10), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1157,
1164; Pub. L. 99–272, title XII, § 12105, Apr. 7, 1986,
100 Stat. 286; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9001(a),
(b), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1969, 1970; Pub. L.
99–514, title XVIII, § 1883(a)(7), Oct. 22, 1986, 100
Stat. 2916; Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, §§ 8003(a),
8011(a), (b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3780, 3789; Pub.
L. 101–239, title X, § 10208(b)(1), (2)(A), (B), (3), (4),
(d)(2)(A)(i), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2477, 2478, 2480;
Pub. L. 101–508, title V, §§ 5117(a)(1)–(3)(A),
(C)–(E), 5122, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–274 to
1388–277, 1388–283; Pub. L. 103–296, title I,
§ 107(a)(4), title III, §§ 307(a), (b), 308(b), 321(a)(16),
(17), (e)(2)(B)–(G), (g)(1)(C), Aug. 15, 1994, 108
Stat. 1478, 1522, 1536, 1539, 1540, 1543; Pub. L.
118–273, § 3(a), Jan. 5, 2025, 138 Stat. 3232.)
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, referred to in
subsecs. (a)(1)(C)(ii) and (d)(1)(C), is act Aug. 29, 1935,
ch. 812, 49 Stat. 867, as amended generally. See par. for
Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 below.
The Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, referred to in
subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii), is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as
amended generally by Pub. L. 93–445, title I, § 101, Oct.
16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1305, which is classified generally to
subchapter IV (§ 231 et seq.) of chapter 9 of Title 45,
Railroads. Pub. L. 93–445 completely amended and re-
vised the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 (approved
June 24, 1937, ch. 382, 50 Stat. 307), and as thus amended
and revised, the 1937 Act was redesignated the Railroad
Retirement Act of 1974. Previously, the 1937 Act had
completely amended and revised the Railroad Retire-
ment Act of 1935 (approved Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, 49
Stat. 967). Section 201 of the 1937 Act provided that the
1935 Act, as in force prior to amendment by the 1937
Act, may be cited as the Railroad Retirement Act of
1935; and that the 1935 Act, as amended by the 1937 Act
may be cited as the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937.
The Railroad Retirement Acts of 1935 and 1937 were
classified to subchapter II (§ 215 et seq.) and subchapter
III (§ 228a et seq.), respectively, of chapter 9 of Title 45.
For further details and complete classification of these
Acts to the Code, see Codification note set out pre-
ceding section 231 of Title 45, section 231t of Title 45,
and Tables.
Section 104(j)(2) of the Social Security Amendments
of 1972, referred to in subsecs. (a)(5)(B)(ii), (b)(2)(B)(iii),
and (d)(1)(A), is section 104(j)(2) of Pub. L. 92–603, which
is set out as a note under section 414 of this title.
Section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1990, referred to in subsecs. (c), (f)(7), and (i)(4),
is section 5117 of Pub. L. 101–508, title V, Nov. 5, 1990, 104
Stat. 1388–274, which amended this section and sections
403, 413, and 417 of this title, amended provisions set out
as a note under section 413 of this title, and enacted
provisions set out as notes under sections 403 and 413 of
this title.
The 1939 Act, referred to in subsec. (d), probably
means act Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, 53 Stat. 1360, known as
the Social Security Act Amendments of 1939, which en-
acted sections 901a, 1306 and 1307 of this title, amended
sections 302, 303, 306, 401, 402 to 409, 502, 503, 602, 603, 606,
701, 702, 703, 711, 712, 713, 714, 721, 801, 1011, 1202, 1203,
1206, 1301, of this title, section 642 of Title 7, Agri-
culture, section 1464 of Title 12, Banks and Banking,
section 1601 of former Title 26, Internal Revenue Code
of 1939, section 45b of Title 29, Labor, and enacted pro-
visions set out as notes under section 363 of Title 45,
Railroads. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see Tables.
Section 101(a)(3) of the Social Security Disability
Amendments of 1980, referred to in subsec. (i)(2)(D), is
section 101(a)(3) of Pub. L. 96–265, title I, June 9, 1980,
94 Stat. 442, which enacted section 403(a)(6) of this title.
Sections 111(a)(6), 111(b)(2), and 112 of the Social Se-
curity Amendments of 1983, referred to in subsec. (i)(4),
are sections 111(a)(6), 111(b)(2), and 112 of Pub. L. 98–21,
title I, Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 72, 73, which amended sub-
sec. (i) of this section and enacted provisions set out as
notes below. See 1983 Amendment notes below.
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
Section 9001 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (i)(4), is section 9001
of Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1969,
which amended sections 415 and 1395r of this title and
enacted provisions set out as a note below.
AMENDMENTS
2025—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 118–273, § 3(a)(1), struck
out par. (7) which reduced Social Security benefits pur-
suant to the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 118–273, § 3(a)(2), struck out par.
(3) which related to computation of payment amounts
for certain individuals who first became eligible after
1985 for monthly periodic payments and whose primary
insurance amount was not computed under subsec.
(a)(1) of this section by reason of subsec. (a)(4)(B)(ii).
Subsec. (f)(9). Pub. L. 118–273, § 3(a)(3), struck out par.
(9) which related to computation of payment amount
based on application of former subsec. (a)(7) or (d)(3) of
this section.
1994—Subsec.
(a)(1)(B)(ii).
Pub.
L.
103–296,
§ 321(e)(2)(B), in subcl. (I) substituted ‘‘national average
wage index’’ for ‘‘deemed average total wages’’ and in
subcl. (II) substituted ‘‘the national average wage index
(as so defined) for 1977.’’ for ‘‘the average of the total
wages (as defined in regulations of the Secretary and
computed without regard to the limitations specified in
section 409(a)(1) of this title) reported to the Secretary
of the Treasury or his delegate for the calendar year
1977.’’
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(g)(1)(C), sub-
stituted ‘‘(except that, for purposes of subsection (b) of
such section 430 of this title as so in effect, the ref-
erence to the contribution and benefit base in para-
graph (1) of such subsection (b) shall be deemed a ref-
erence to an amount equal to $45,000, each reference in
paragraph (2) of such subsection (b) to the average of
the wages of all employees as reported to the Secretary
of the Treasury shall be deemed a reference to the na-
tional average wage index (as defined in section
409(k)(1) of this title), the reference to a preceding cal-
endar year in paragraph (2)(A) of such subsection (b)
shall be deemed a reference to the calendar year before
the calendar year in which the determination under
subsection (a) of such section 430 of this title is made,
and the reference to a calendar year in paragraph (2)(B)
of such subsection (b) shall be deemed a reference to
1992).’’ for ‘‘(except that, for purposes of subsection
(b)(2)(A) of such section 430 of this title as so in effect,
the reference therein to the average of the wages of all
employees as reported to the Secretary of the Treasury
for any calendar year shall be deemed a reference to
the national average wage index (within the meaning of
section 409(k)(1) of this title) for such calendar year).’’
Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(e)(2)(C), substituted ‘‘national
average wage index’’ for ‘‘deemed average total wages’’
before ‘‘(within the meaning’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(e)(2)(D), sub-
stituted ‘‘In each calendar year’’ for ‘‘In each calendar
year after 1978’’ and ‘‘the national average wage index
(as defined in section 409(k)(1) of this title’’ for ‘‘the av-
erage of the total wages (as described in subparagraph
(B)(ii)(I)’’ and struck out at end ‘‘With the initial publi-
cation required by this subparagraph, the Secretary
shall also publish in the Federal Register the average
of the total wages (as so described) for each calendar
year after 1950.’’
Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), substituted ‘‘Commissioner
of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (a)(5)(B)(i). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(a)(16), sub-
stituted ‘‘subsections’’ for ‘‘subsection’’ before ‘‘(b)(4)
and (c)’’.
Subsec. (a)(6)(B). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’.
Subsec. (a)(7)(A). Pub. L. 103–296, § 308(b), in closing
provisions struck out ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(II)’’ and inserted
‘‘, and (III) a payment based wholly on service as a
member of a uniformed service (as defined in section
410(m) of this title)’’ after ‘‘section 433 of this title’’.
Pub. L. 103–296, § 307(a)(1), in closing provisions sub-
stituted ‘‘but excluding (I) a payment under the Rail-
road Retirement Act of 1974 or 1937, and (II) a payment
by a social security system of a foreign country based
on an agreement concluded between the United States
and such foreign country pursuant to section 433 of this
title’’ for ‘‘but excluding a payment under the Railroad
Retirement Act of 1974 or 1937’’.
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(i). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’.
Subsec. (a)(7)(E). Pub. L. 103–296, § 307(a)(2), in intro-
ductory provisions inserted ‘‘whose eligibility for old-
age or disability insurance benefits is based on an
agreement concluded pursuant to section 433 of this
title or an individual’’ before ‘‘who on January’’.
Subsec.
(b)(3)(A)(ii)(I),
(II).
Pub.
L.
103–296,
§ 321(e)(2)(E),
substituted
‘‘national
average
wage
index’’ for ‘‘deemed average total wages’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 103–296, § 308(b), in closing pro-
visions struck out ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(II)’’ and inserted
‘‘, and (III) a payment based wholly on service as a
member of a uniformed service (as defined in section
410(m) of this title)’’ after ‘‘section 433 of this title’’.
Pub. L. 103–296, § 307(b), in closing provisions sub-
stituted ‘‘but excluding (I) a payment under the Rail-
road Retirement Act of 1974 or 1937, and (II) a payment
by a social security system of a foreign country based
on an agreement concluded between the United States
and such foreign country pursuant to section 433 of this
title’’ for ‘‘but excluding a payment under the Railroad
Retirement Act of 1974 or 1937’’.
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ and ‘‘the Commissioner may’’ for ‘‘he may’’.
Subsec. (f)(5), (6). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’.
Subsec. (f)(7). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(a)(17), inserted a
period after ‘‘1990’’.
Subsecs. (f)(8), (h)(1). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(E). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(e)(2)(F)(i), sub-
stituted ‘‘national average wage index (as defined in
section 409(k)(1) of this title)’’ for ‘‘SSA average wage
index’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(F)(ii). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(G), (H). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(e)(2)(F)(ii),
redesignated subpar. (H) as (G) and struck out former
subpar. (G) which read as follows: ‘‘the term ‘SSA aver-
age wage index’, with respect to any calendar year,
means the amount determined for such calendar year
under subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii)(I) of this section; and’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i), (ii), (C)(i). Pub. L. 103–296,
§ 107(a)(4), substituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Secu-
rity’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever appearing, ‘‘the Com-
missioner shall’’ for ‘‘he shall’’ in introductory provi-
sions of par. (2)(A)(ii) and in par. (2)(C)(i), and ‘‘the
Commissioner’s estimate’’ for ‘‘his estimate’’ in par.
(2)(C)(i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(e)(2)(G),
amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii)
read as follows: ‘‘The Secretary shall determine and
promulgate the OASDI fund ratio for the current cal-
endar year and the SSA wage index for the preceding
calendar year before November 1 of the current cal-
endar year, based upon the most recent data then avail-
able, and shall include a statement of such fund ratio
and wage index (and of the effect such ratio and the
level of such index may have upon benefit increases
under this subsection) in any notification made under
clause (i) and any determination published under sub-
paragraph (D).’’
Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), in cl. (ii) as amended by
Pub. L. 103–296, § 321(e)(2)(G), substituted ‘‘Commis-
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
sioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ in two
places.
Subsec. (i)(2)(D). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ and ‘‘the Commissioner shall publish’’ for ‘‘he
shall publish’’.
Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), which directed that this
subchapter be amended by substituting ‘‘the Commis-
sioner’’ for ‘‘he’’ wherever referring to the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, was executed by sub-
stituting ‘‘The Commissioner’’ for ‘‘He’’ before ‘‘shall
also publish’’, to reflect the probable intent of Con-
gress.
Subsec. (i)(4), (5)(B). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘Commissioner of Social Security’’ for ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ wherever appearing and ‘‘the Commissioner
shall’’ for ‘‘he shall’’ in closing provisions of par. (5)(B).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5122(a),
substituted ‘‘of not less than 25 percent (in the case of
a year after 1950 and before 1978) of the maximum
amount which (pursuant to subsection (e)) may be
counted for such year, or 25 percent (in the case of a
year after 1977 and before 1991) or 15 percent (in the
case of a year after 1990) of the maximum amount
which (pursuant to subsection (e)) could be counted for
such year if’’ for ‘‘of not less than 25 percent of the
maximum amount which, pursuant to subsection (e),
may be counted for such year, or of not less than 25 per-
cent of the maximum amount which could be so count-
ed for such year (in the case of a year after 1977) if’’.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(1), designated
existing provision as subpar. (A), substituted ‘‘Subject
to subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E), for purposes of’’
for ‘‘For purposes of’’, struck out at end ‘‘The table for
determining primary insurance amounts and maximum
family benefits contained in this section in December
1978 shall be revised as provided by subsection (i) of this
section for each year after 1978.’’, and added subpars.
(B) to (E).
Subsec.
(a)(7)(A),
(C)(ii).
Pub.
L.
101–508,
§ 5117(a)(3)(E)(ii), substituted ‘‘subsection (d)(3)’’ for
‘‘subsection (d)(5)’’.
Subsec. (a)(7)(D). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5122(b), struck out
‘‘(as defined in paragraph (1)(C)(ii))’’ before period at
end of first sentence and inserted at end ‘‘For purposes
of this subparagraph, the term ‘year of coverage’ shall
have the meaning provided in paragraph (1)(C)(ii), ex-
cept that the reference to ‘15 percent’ therein shall be
deemed to be a reference to ‘25 percent’.’’
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(3)(C), substituted
‘‘Subject to the amendments made by section 5117 of
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, this’’
for ‘‘This’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(2)(A)(i), in-
serted ‘‘and subject to section 104(j)(2) of the Social Se-
curity Amendments of 1972’’ after ‘‘thereof’’.
Subsec.
(d)(1)(B)(i),
(ii).
Pub.
L.
101–508,
§ 5117(a)(2)(A)(ii), added cls. (i) and (ii) and struck out
former cls. (i) and (ii) which read as follows:
‘‘(i) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined in sub-
paragraph (C) of this paragraph) of an individual who
attained age 21 after 1936 and prior to 1950 shall be di-
vided by the number of years (hereinafter in this sub-
paragraph referred to as the ‘divisor’) elapsing after the
year in which the individual attained age 20 and prior
to 1951; and
‘‘(ii) the total wages prior to 1951 (as defined in sub-
paragraph (C) of this paragraph) of an individual who
attained age 21 after 1949 shall be divided by the num-
ber of years (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred
to as the ‘divisor’) elapsing after 1949 and prior to 1951.’’
Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(2)(B),
amended cl. (iii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl.
(iii) read as follows: ‘‘if the quotient exceeds $3,000,
only $3,000 shall be deemed to be the individual’s wages
for each of the years which were used in computing the
amount of the divisor, and the remainder of the indi-
vidual’s total wages prior to 1951 (I) if less than $3,000,
shall be deemed credited to the year immediately pre-
ceding the earliest year used in computing the amount
of the divisor, or (II) if $3,000 or more, shall be deemed
credited, in $3,000 increments, to the year immediately
preceding the earliest year used in computing the
amount of the divisor and to each year consecutively
preceding that year, with any remainder less than
$3,000 being credited to the year immediately preceding
the earliest year to which a full $3,000 increment was
credited; and’’.
Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(2)(C)(i),
struck out ‘‘except as provided in paragraph (3),’’ after
‘‘(B)’’.
Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(2)(C)(ii),
added subpar. (C) and struck out former subpar. (C)
which read as follows:
‘‘(C)(i) who becomes entitled to benefits under section
402(a) or 423 of this title after January 2, 1968, or
‘‘(ii) who dies after such date without being entitled
to benefits under section 402(a) or 423 of this title, or
‘‘(iii) whose primary insurance amount is required to
be recomputed under subsection (f)(2) or (6) of this sec-
tion or section 431 of this title.’’
Subsec. (d)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(2)(C)(iii),
(3)(E)(i), redesignated par. (5) as (3) and struck out
former pars. (3) and (4) which read as follows:
‘‘(3) The provisions of this subsection as in effect
prior to January 2, 1968, shall be applicable in the case
of an individual who had a period of disability which
began prior to 1951, but only if the primary insurance
amount resulting therefrom is higher than the primary
insurance amount resulting from the application of
this section (as amended by the Social Security
Amendments of 1967) and section 420 of this title.
‘‘(4) The provisions of this subsection as in effect in
December 1977 shall be applicable to individuals who
become eligible for old-age or disability insurance ben-
efits or die prior to 1978.’’
Subsec. (f)(7). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(3)(D), sub-
stituted ‘‘, including a primary insurance amount com-
puted under any such subsection whose operation is
modified as a result of the amendments made by sec-
tion 5117 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1990’’ for period at end of first sentence.
Subsec. (f)(9)(A). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(3)(E)(ii),
substituted ‘‘subsection (d)(3)’’ for ‘‘subsection (d)(5)’’
in two places.
Subsec. (f)(9)(B). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(3)(E)(iii),
substituted ‘‘or (d)(3)’’ for ‘‘or (d)(5)’’ wherever appear-
ing.
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5117(a)(3)(A), inserted
‘‘and as amended by section 5117 of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1990’’ after ‘‘as then in effect’’ in
first sentence.
1989—Subsec.
(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I).
Pub.
L.
101–239,
§ 10208(b)(2)(A), substituted ‘‘the deemed average total
wages (as defined in section 409(k)(1) of this title)’’ for
‘‘the average of the total wages (as defined in regula-
tions of the Secretary and computed without regard to
the limitations specified in section 409(a)(1) of this
title) reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his
delegate’’.
Pub.
L.
101–239,
§ 10208(d)(2)(A)(i),
substituted
‘‘409(a)(1)’’ for ‘‘409(a)’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10208(b)(2)(B),
substituted ‘‘(as defined in regulations of the Secretary
and computed without regard to the limitations speci-
fied in section 409(a)(1) of this title)’’ for ‘‘(as so defined
and computed)’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10208(b)(4), sub-
stituted ‘‘change (except that, for purposes of sub-
section (b)(2)(A) of such section 430 of this title as so in
effect, the reference therein to the average of the wages
of all employees as reported to the Secretary of the
Treasury for any calendar year shall be deemed a ref-
erence to the deemed average total wages (within the
meaning of section 409(k)(1) of this title) for such cal-
endar year)’’ for ‘‘change’’.
Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10208(b)(1)(C),
struck out ‘‘(after 1976)’’ after ‘‘calendar year’’.
Pub. L. 101–239, § 10208(b)(1)(A), substituted ‘‘the
deemed average total wages (as defined in section
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
409(k)(1) of this title)’’ for ‘‘the average of the total
wages (as defined in regulations of the Secretary and
computed without regard to the limitations specified in
section 409(a)(1) of this title) reported to the Secretary
of the Treasury or his delegate’’.
Pub.
L.
101–239,
§ 10208(d)(2)(A)(i),
substituted
‘‘409(a)(1)’’ for ‘‘409(a)’’.
Subsec.
(b)(3)(A)(ii)(II).
Pub.
L.
101–239,
§ 10208(b)(1)(B), substituted ‘‘the deemed average total
wages (as so defined)’’ for ‘‘the average of the total
wages (as so defined and computed) reported to the Sec-
retary of the Treasury or his delegate’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(G). Pub. L. 101–239, § 10208(b)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘the amount determined for such calendar
year under subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii)(I)’’ for ‘‘the average
of the total wages reported to the Secretary of the
Treasury or his delegate as determined for purposes of
subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii)’’.
1988—Subsec. (a)(7)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8011(a)(1),
struck out ‘‘with respect to the initial month in which
the individual becomes eligible for such benefits’’ be-
fore period at end.
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8011(a)(2), sub-
stituted ‘‘concurrent entitlement to such monthly peri-
odic payment and old-age or disability insurance bene-
fits’’ for ‘‘eligibility for old-age or disability insurance
benefits’’.
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8011(a)(3),
redesignated cl. (iv) as (iii) and struck out former cl.
(iii) which read as follows: ‘‘If an individual to whom
subparagraph (A) applies is eligible for a periodic pay-
ment beginning with a month that is subsequent to the
month in which he or she becomes eligible for old-age
or disability insurance benefits, the amount of that
payment (for purposes of subparagraph (B)) shall be
deemed to be the amount to which he or she is, or is
deemed to be, entitled (subject to clauses (i), (ii), and
(iv) of this subparagraph) in such subsequent month.’’
Subsec. (a)(7)(D). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8003(a), in intro-
ductory provisions, substituted ‘‘20 years’’ for ‘‘25
years’’ and ‘‘shall (if such percent is smaller than the
applicable percent specified in the following table) be
deemed to be the applicable percent specified in the fol-
lowing table:’’ for ‘‘shall (if such percent is smaller
than the percent specified in whichever of the following
clauses applies) be deemed to be—’’, and substituted
table for former cls. (i) to (iv) which read as follows:
‘‘(i) 80 percent, in the case of an individual who has
29 of such years of coverage;
‘‘(ii) 70 percent, in the case of an individual who has
28 of such years;
‘‘(iii) 60 percent, in the case of an individual who
has 27 of such years; and
‘‘(iv) 50 percent, in the case of an individual who
has 26 of such years.’’
Subsec. (d)(5)(ii). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8011(b), substituted
‘‘such concurrent entitlement’’ for ‘‘his or her eligi-
bility for old-age or disability insurance benefits’’.
1986—Subsec. (i)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(a), sub-
stituted ‘‘percentage is greater than zero’’ for ‘‘percent-
age is 3 percent or more’’.
Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(2)(A), amended subpar. (B), as
in effect in December 1978, and as applied in certain
cases under the provisions of this chapter as in effect
after December 1978, by striking out ‘‘, by not less than
3 per centum,’’ after ‘‘Department of Labor exceeds’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(i). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(1)(A)(i), re-
designated cl. (ii) as (i) and struck out former cl. (i)
which read as follows: ‘‘Whenever the level of the Con-
sumer Price Index as published for any month exceeds
by 2.5 percent or more the level of such index for the
most recent base quarter (as defined in paragraph
(1)(A)(ii)) or, if later, the most recent cost-of-living
computation quarter, the Secretary shall (within 5
days after such publication) report the amount of such
excess to the House Committee on Ways and Means and
the Senate Committee on Finance.’’
Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(2)(B), amended subpar. (C), as
in effect in December 1978, and as applied in certain
cases under the provisions of this chapter as in effect
after December 1978, by striking out cl. (i) which read
as follows: ‘‘Whenever the level of the Consumer Price
Index as published for any month exceeds by 2.5 percent
or more the level of such index for the most recent base
quarter (as defined in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)) or, if later,
the most recent cost-of-living computation quarter, the
Secretary shall (within 5 days after such publication)
report the amount of such excess to the House Com-
mittee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee
on Finance.’’
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(1)(A), re-
designated cl. (iii) as (ii) and substituted ‘‘under clause
(i)’’ for ‘‘under clause (ii)’’. Former cl. (ii) redesignated
(i).
Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(2)(B), amended subpar. (C), as
in effect in December 1978, and as applied in certain
cases under the provisions of this chapter as in effect
after December 1978, by striking out cl. (ii) designation.
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(1)(A)(i),
redesignated cl. (iii) as (ii).
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(1)(B), inserted
‘‘and by section 9001 of the Omnibus Budget Reconcili-
ation Act of 1986’’.
Pub. L. 99–272 substituted ‘‘the Secretary shall revise
the table of benefits contained in subsection (a), as in
effect in December 1978, in accordance with the require-
ments of paragraph (2)(D) of this subsection as then in
effect, except that the requirement in such paragraph
(2)(D) that the Secretary publish such revision of the
table of benefits in the Federal Register shall not
apply’’ for ‘‘the Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register revisions of the table of benefits contained in
subsection (a), as in effect in December 1978, as re-
quired by paragraph (2)(D) of this subsection as then in
effect’’.
Subsec. (i)(5)(A)(i). Pub. L. 99–509, § 9001(b)(1)(C), sub-
stituted ‘‘because there was no wage increase percent-
age greater than zero’’ for ‘‘because the wage increase
percentage was less than 3 percent’’.
Subsec. (i)(5)(B). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1883(a)(7), sub-
stituted ‘‘clause (i)(I)’’ for ‘‘subdivision (I)’’ in cl. (ii)
and ‘‘clause (i)’’ for ‘‘subdivisions (I) and (II)’’ in provi-
sions between cls. (iii) and (iv).
1984—Subsec.
(a)(1)(B)(i).
Pub.
L.
98–369,
§ 2663(a)(10)(A)(i), substituted ‘‘for such benefits’’ for ‘‘of
such benefits’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2663(a)(10)(A)(ii),
substituted ‘‘amount’’ for ‘‘amounts’’ after ‘‘except
that any’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2663(a)(10)(A)(iii),
substituted ‘‘section 417 of this title’’ for ‘‘scetion 417 of
this title’’ after ‘‘deemed to be paid to such individual
under’’.
Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2663(a)(10)(B), re-
aligned margins of subpar. (B).
Subsec. (a)(7)(B)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2661(k)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘who become eligible (as defined in paragraph
(3)(B)) for old-age insurance benefits (or became eligi-
ble as so defined for disability insurance benefits before
attaining age 62)’’ for ‘‘who initially become eligible for
old-age or disability insurance benefits’’.
Subsec. (a)(7)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2661(k)(2), sub-
stituted ‘‘survivor’s’’ for ‘‘survivors’’.
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2663(a)(10)(C), sub-
stituted ‘‘primary insurance amount’’ for ‘‘primary in-
surance account’’.
Subsec. (f)(9)(B)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2661(k)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘as though the recomputed primary insurance
amount were being computed under subsection (a)(7) or
(d)(5)’’ for ‘‘as though such primary insurance amount
had initially been computed without regard to sub-
section (a)(7) or (d)(5)’’.
Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2663(a)(10)(D)(ii), sub-
stituted ‘‘Director of the Office of Personnel Manage-
ment’’ for ‘‘Civil Service Commission’’.
Subsec. (i)(5)(A). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2661(k)(4), inserted
provision that any amount so increased that is not a
multiple of $0.10 shall be decreased to the next lower
multiple of $0.10.
Subsec. (i)(5)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2661(k)(5)(A),
substituted ‘‘so as to yield such applicable additional
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
percentage (which shall be rounded to the nearest one-
tenth of 1 percent)’’ for ‘‘and rounding to the nearest
one-tenth of 1 percent’’.
Subsec. (i)(5)(B)(iv), (v). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2661(k)(5)(B),
(C), substituted ‘‘ending with the year before such sub-
sequent calendar year’’ for ‘‘ending with such subse-
quent calendar year’’ in cls. (iv) and (v) and ‘‘became
eligible (as defined in subsection (a)(3)(B)) for the old-
age or disability insurance benefit that is being in-
creased under this subsection’’ for ‘‘initially became el-
igible for an old-age or disability insurance benefit’’ in
cl. (v).
1983—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 98–21, § 113(a), added par.
(7).
Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 98–21, § 113(b), added par. (5).
Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 98–21, § 201(c)(1)(C), substituted
‘‘retirement age (as defined in section 416(l) of this
title)’’ for ‘‘age 65’’.
Subsec. (f)(9). Pub. L. 98–21, § 113(c), added par. (9).
Subsec. (i)(1)(A). Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(b)(1), substituted
‘‘September 30’’ for ‘‘March 31’’ and ‘‘1982’’ for ‘‘1974’’.
Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(b)(2), amended subpar. (A), as in ef-
fect in December 1978, and as applied in certain cases
under the provisions of this chapter as in effect after
December 1978, by substituting ‘‘September 30’’ for
‘‘March 31’’ and ‘‘1982’’ for ‘‘1974’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(B). Pub. L. 98–21, § 112(a)(1), substituted
‘‘with respect to which the applicable increase percent-
age is 3 percent or more’’ for ‘‘in which the Consumer
Price Index prepared by the Department of Labor ex-
ceeds, by not less than 3 per centum, such Index in the
later of (i) the last prior cost-of-living computation
quarter which was established under this subparagraph,
or (ii) the most recent calendar quarter in which oc-
curred the effective month of a general benefit increase
under this subchapter’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(C) to (H). Pub. L. 98–21, § 112(a)(3), (4),
added subpars. (C) to (G) and redesignated former sub-
par. (C) as (H).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 98–21, § 112(b), in provi-
sions immediately following subcl. (III), substituted
‘‘by the applicable increase percentage’’ for ‘‘by the
same percentage (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1
percent) as the percentage by which the Consumer
Price Index for that cost-of-living computation quarter
exceeds such index for the most recent prior calendar
quarter which was a base quarter under paragraph
(1)(A)(ii) or, if later, the most recent cost-of-living
computation quarter under paragraph (1)(B)’’.
Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(a)(1), substituted ‘‘December’’ for
‘‘June’’ in provisions preceding subcl. (I).
Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(a)(6), amended par. (2), as in effect
in December 1978, and as applied in certain cases under
the provisions of this chapter as in effect after Decem-
ber 1978, by substituting in the provisions preceding
subpar. (A)(ii)(I) ‘‘December’’ for ‘‘June’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(a)(2), sub-
stituted ‘‘November’’ for ‘‘May’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(a)(3), substituted
‘‘November’’ for ‘‘May’’ in two places.
Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(a)(6), amended par. (2), as in effect
in December 1978, and as applied in certain cases under
the provisions of this chapter as in effect after Decem-
ber 1978, by substituting in subpar. (B) ‘‘November’’ for
‘‘May’’ in two places.
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 98–21, § 112(d)(1), added cl.
(iii).
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 98–21, § 112(d)(2), inserted ref-
erence to amendments made by section 112 of the So-
cial Security Amendments of 1983.
Pub. L. 98–21, § 111(c), inserted reference to amend-
ments made by section 111(a)(6) and 111(b)(2) of the So-
cial Security Amendments of 1983.
Subsec. (i)(5). Pub. L. 98–21, § 112(c), added par. (5).
1981—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2206(b)(5), sub-
stituted in provision following cl. (iii) ‘‘rounded, if not
a multiple of $0.10, to the next lower multiple of $0.10,’’
for ‘‘rounded in accordance with subsection (g) of this
section’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(i). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(a), struck out
provisions that primary insurance amount computed
under subpar. (A) not be less than the dollar amount
set forth on first line of column IV in table of benefits
contained, or deemed to be contained in, this sub-
section as in effect in December 1978, rounded, if not a
multiple of $1, to next higher multiple of $1 and that no
increase under subsec. (i) of this section, except as pro-
vided in subsec. (i)(2)(A) of this section, apply to dollar
amount so specified.
Subsec. (a)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(1), sub-
stituted ‘‘For the purposes of clause (i)’’ for ‘‘For the
purposes of clause (i)(II)’’.
Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(2), sub-
stituted
‘‘subparagraph
(C)(i)’’
for
‘‘subparagraph
(C)(i)(II)’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(3), (c)(2), sub-
stituted in provision preceding subpar. (A) ‘‘subpara-
graph (C)(i)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph (C)(i)(II)’’ and in provi-
sion following subpar. (B) inserted ‘‘, as modified by
paragraph (6)’’ after ‘‘table of benefits in effect in De-
cember 1978’’ and struck out ‘‘but without regard to
clauses
(iv)
and
(v)
thereof’’
after
‘‘subsection
(i)(2)(A)’’.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(a)(1), struck out
‘‘, and the table for determining primary insurance
amounts and maximum family benefits contained in
this section in December 1978 shall be modified as spec-
ified in paragraph (6)’’, and substituted ‘‘December 1978
shall be revised’’ for ‘‘December 1978, modified by the
application of paragraph (6), shall be revised’’.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(c)(3), inserted ‘‘, and the table for
determining primary insurance amounts and maximum
family benefits contained in this section in December
1978 shall be modified as specified in paragraph (6)’’ and
substituted ‘‘December 1978, modified by the applica-
tion of paragraph (6), shall be revised’’ for ‘‘December
1978 shall be revised’’.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(a)(2), substituted in
subpar. (A) ‘‘In applying the table of benefits in effect
in December 1978 under this section for purposes of the
last sentence of paragraph (4), such table, revised as
provided by subsection (i), as applicable, shall be ex-
tended’’ for ‘‘The table of benefits in effect in December
1978 under this section, referred to in paragraph (4) in
the matter following subparagraph (B) and in para-
graph (5), revised as provided by subsection (i), as appli-
cable, shall be extended’’.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(c)(1), added par. (6).
Subsec. (f)(7). Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(b), inserted provisions
that effective January 1982, the recomputation shall be
modified by the application of subsec. (a)(6) of this sec-
tion where applicable, and struck out provision that
the recomputation shall be modified by the application
of subsec. (a)(6) of this section, where applicable.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(c)(4), inserted provision that the
recomputation be modified by the application of sub-
sec. (a)(6) of this section, where applicable.
Subsec. (f)(8). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(4), substituted
‘‘subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)’’ for ‘‘subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)(II)’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2206(a), struck out ‘‘any
primary insurance amount and the amount of’’ after
‘‘The amount of’’ and substituted ‘‘(after any reduction
under sections 403(a) and 424 of this title and any de-
duction under section 403(b) of this title, and after any
deduction under section 1395s(a)(1) of this title) is not
a multiple of $1 shall be rounded to the next lower mul-
tiple of $1’’ for ‘‘(after reduction under section 403(a) of
this title and deductions under section 403(b) of this
title) is not a multiple of $0.10 shall be raised to the
next higher multiple of $0.10’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(5), (6), in
subcl. (II) struck out ‘‘(including a primary insurance
amount determined under subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)(I) of
this section, but subject to the provisions of such sub-
section (a)(1)(C)(i) of this section and clauses (iv) and
(v) of this subparagraph)’’ after ‘‘under this sub-
chapter’’ and in provision following subcl. (III) sub-
stituted
‘‘subparagraph
(C)(i)’’
for
‘‘subparagraph
(C)(i)(II)’’.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2206(b)(6), substituted in provision fol-
lowing subcl. (III) ‘‘decreased to the next lower’’ for
‘‘increased to the next higher’’.
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§ 415
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(c), inserted
‘‘and, with respect to a primary insurance amount de-
termined under subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)(I) in the case of
an individual to whom that subsection (as in effect in
December 1981) applied, subject to the provisions of
subsection (a)(1)(C)(i) and clauses (iv) and (v) of this
subparagraph (as then in effect)’’ after ‘‘provision of
this subchapter’’.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(7), struck out ‘‘and, with re-
spect to a primary insurance amount determined under
subsection (a)(1)(C)(i)(I) of this section, subject to the
provisions of subsection (a)(1)(C)(i) of this section and
clauses (iv) and (v) of this subparagraph’’ after ‘‘provi-
sion of this subchapter’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(8), struck
out cl. (iv) which related to increases in the primary in-
surance amount for individuals entitled to old-age in-
surance benefits, individuals entitled to insurance ben-
efits under section 402(e) and (f) of this title, increases
that would otherwise apply except for provisions of this
clause, and increases occurring in a later year not ap-
plicable to the primary insurance amount on account
of provisions of this clause.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(v). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(8), struck
out cl. (v) which provided, that notwithstanding cl. (iv),
no primary insurance amount be less than that pro-
vided under subsec. (a)(1) of this section without regard
to subpar. (C)(i)(I) thereof, as subsequently increased
by applicable increases under this section.
Subsec. (i)(2)(D). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(b)(9), substituted
‘‘subparagraph (C)(i)’’ for ‘‘subparagraph (C)(i)(II)’’ in
two places.
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(d), struck out
‘‘, modified by the application of subsec. (a)(6) of this
section,’’.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2201(c)(5), inserted ‘‘, modified by the
application of subsec. (a)(6) of this section,’’.
Pub. L. 97–35, § 2206(b)(7), inserted ‘‘except that for
this
purpose,
in
applying
paragraphs
(2)(A)(ii),
(2)(D)(iv), and (2)(D)(v) of this subsection as in effect in
December 1978, the phrase ‘increased to the next higher
multiple of $0.10’ shall be deemed to read ‘decreased to
the next lower multiple of $0.10’ ’’.
1980—Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 96–473 substituted ‘‘re-
computation’’ for ‘‘recommendation’’.
Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 96–265, § 102(a), designated
existing provisions as cl. (i), inserted provision limiting
its applicability to individuals who are entitled to old-
age insurance benefits (except as provided in the second
sentence of this subparagraph) or who have died, and
added cl. (ii) and provisions following cl. (ii).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii)(III). Pub. L. 96–265, § 101(b)(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘section 403(a)(7) and (8)’’ for ‘‘section 403(a)(6)
and (7)’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(D). Pub. L. 96–265, § 101(b)(4), inserted
sentence providing that revision of maximum family
benefits shall be subject to paragraph (6) of section
403(a) of this title (as added by section 101(a)(3) of the
Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980).
1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(a), amended pro-
visions under which primary insurance amount of an
individual is determined by substituting provisions
which employ a formula using percentages of different
portions of the individual’s average indexed monthly
earnings for provisions under which the primary insur-
ance amount of an insured individual was determined
through references to a five-column table covering pri-
mary insurance amounts and maximum family bene-
fits.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(b), substituted provi-
sions setting up a formula for determining an individ-
ual’s average indexed monthly earnings using benefit
computation years, computation base years, and
elapsed years as factors in the determination, for provi-
sions that had set a formula for determining an individ-
ual’s average monthly wage.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(c), substituted provi-
sions that this subsection as in effect in Dec. 1978, will
remain in effect with respect to an individual to whom
subsec. (a)(1) of this section does not apply by reason of
the individual’s eligibility for an old-age or disability
insurance benefit, or the individual’s death, prior to
1979, for provisions under which, for the purposes of col-
umn II of the latest table that had appeared in (or was
deemed to have appeared in) subsec. (a) of this section,
an individual’s primary insurance amount was to be
computed on the basis of the law in effect prior to the
month in which the latest such table had become effec-
tive, but with a limitation that this subsection was to
be applicable only in the case of an individual who had
become entitled to benefits under section 402(a) or sec-
tion 423 of this title, or who had died, before such effec-
tive month.
Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(d)(1), inserted
provisions in subsec. (d)(1)(A) and preceding introduc-
tory provision directing that existing references to sub-
secs. (a) and (b) of this section be deemed reference to
such subsecs. (a) and (b) as they were in effect in Dec.
1977.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(d)(1), made a
parenthetical insertion which limited the existing ref-
erences to subpars. (B) and (C) of subsec. (b)(2) of this
section to those provisions as they had been in effect in
Dec. 1977, and introduced a simplified method, using
the concept of a divisor and a quotient, for computing
the primary insurance amounts of workers age 21 after
1936 and before 1951 when wages before 1951 are included
in the computations.
Subsec. (d)(1)(D). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(d)(2), sub-
stituted ‘‘40 percent’’ for ‘‘45.6 per centum’’ and ‘‘plus 10
percent of the next $200 of his average monthly wage,
increased by 1 percent for each increment year’’ for
‘‘plus 11.4 per centum of the next $200 of such average
monthly wage’’ in existing provisions and inserted pro-
visions that the number of increment years in the num-
ber, not more than 14 nor less than 4, that is equal to
the individual’s total wages prior to 1951 divided by
$1,650 (disregarding any fraction).
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(d)(3), struck out re-
quirement that when wages prior to 1951 are included in
computing the average monthly wages of an individual
who attains age 21 after 1936 and prior to 1951, the
present law computation provisions in effect before the
Social Security Amendments of 1967 must be used.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(d)(4), added par. (4).
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(e), substituted ‘‘av-
erage indexed monthly earnings or, in the case of an in-
dividual whose primary insurance amount is computed
under subsection (a) as in effect prior to January 1979,
average monthly wage’’ for ‘‘average monthly wage’’
and ‘‘(before the application, in the case of average in-
dexed monthly earnings, of subsection (b)(3)(A)) of (A)
the wages paid to him in such year’’ for ‘‘of (A) the
wages paid to him in such year’’.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(e), substituted ‘‘av-
erage indexed monthly earnings or, in the case of an in-
dividual whose primary insurance amount is computed
under subsection (a) as in effect prior to January 1979,
average monthly wage’’ for ‘‘average monthly wage’’.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(f)(1), generally ex-
panded provisions for recomputing primary insurance
amounts for individuals with wages or self-employment
income for years after 1978 for any part of which the in-
dividuals are entitled to old-age or disability insurance
benefits.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(f)(2), struck out par.
(3) which had provided for the recomputation of pri-
mary insurance amounts for workers who had self-em-
ployment income in 1952 and who had applied for bene-
fits or died prior to 1961.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(f)(3), substituted ‘‘A
recomputation shall be effective under this subsection
only if it increases the primary insurance amount by at
least $1’’ for ‘‘Any recomputation under this subsection
shall be effective only if such recomputation results in
a higher primary insurance amount’’.
Subsec. (f)(7), (8). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(f)(4), added pars.
(7) and (8).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(g)(1), specified
that an automatic benefit increase effective for June of
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a year in which the Secretary determines that a cost-
of-living computation quarter, which triggers such an
increase, has occurred will apply to benefits of those
entitled to special payments under sections 427 and 428
of this title, to the primary insurance amounts on
which beneficiaries are entitled including the frozen
minimum primary insurance amounts and special min-
imum primary insurance amounts, and to the max-
imum family benefits at the same time as the primary
insurance amounts on which they are based, where a
primary insurance amount was computed under the law
in effect in December 1978 will be increased at the same
time as the primary insurance amounts, except as pro-
vided in section 403(a)(6) and (7) of this title.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(iii) to (v). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(g)(2),
added cls. (iii) to (v).
Subsec. (i)(2)(D). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(g)(3), substituted
provisions directing publication in the Federal Register
of revisions of the range of primary insurance amounts
and of the range of maximum family benefits for provi-
sions that had directed publication of the revision of
the table of benefits formerly set out in subsec. (a) and
had set out the method of determining the revision of
the table.
Subsec. (i)(2)(D)(v). Pub. L. 95–216, § 103(d), substituted
in cl. (v) ‘‘is equal to, or exceeds by less than $5, one-
twelfth of the new contribution and benefit base’’ for
‘‘is equal to one-twelfth of the new contribution and
benefit base’’ in second sentence and ‘‘plus 20 percent of
the excess of the second figure in the last line of col-
umn III as extended under the preceding sentence over
such second figure for the calendar year in which the
table of benefits is revised’’ for ‘‘plus 20 percent of one-
twelfth of the excess of the new contribution and ben-
efit base for the calendar year following the calendar
year in which such table of benefits is revised (as deter-
mined under section 430 of this title) over such base for
the calendar year in which the table of benefits is re-
vised’’ in third sentence.
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 95–216, § 201(g)(4), added par. (4).
1973—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(a), in revising
benefits table: in column II, substituted ‘‘Primary in-
surance amount effective for September 1972’’ for ‘‘Pri-
mary insurance amount under 1971 Act’’ and increased
benefit amounts to $84.50–$404.50 from $70.40–$295.40; in
column III, increased benefit amounts to $76 to
$1,096–$1,100 from $76 to $996–$1,000; in column IV, in-
creased
benefit
amounts
to
$93.80–$469.00
from
$84.50–$404.50; and in column V, increased benefit
amounts to $140.80–$820.80 from $126.80–$707.90.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 93–233, § 1(h)(1), substituted
‘‘$9.00’’ for ‘‘$8.50’’.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 93–233, § 5(a)(4), substituted
‘‘$13,200’’ for ‘‘$12,600’’.
Pub. L. 93–66 substituted ‘‘$12,600’’ for ‘‘$12,000’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(a), substituted
‘‘calendar quarter ending on March 31 in each year
after 1974’’ for ‘‘calendar quarter ending on June 30 in
each year after 1972’’.
Subsec. (i)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(b), substituted
in exception provision ‘‘if in the year prior to such year
a law has been enacted providing a general benefit in-
crease under this subchapter or if in such prior year
such a general benefit increase becomes effective’’ for
‘‘in which a law has been enacted providing a general
benefit increase under this subchapter or in which such
a benefit increase becomes effective’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(c), substituted
‘‘1975’’ for ‘‘1974’’ and struck out ‘‘and to subparagraph
(E) of this paragraph’’ after ‘‘paragraph (1)(B)’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(d)(1)–(3), sub-
stituted ‘‘the base quarter in any year’’ and ‘‘June of
such year’’ for ‘‘such base quarter’’ and ‘‘January of the
next calendar year’’ and struck out ‘‘(subject to sub-
paragraph (E))’’ before ‘‘as provided in subparagraph
(B)’’, respectively.
Subsec. (i)(2)(B). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(e), substituted
‘‘May’’ for ‘‘December’’ in two places and struck out
‘‘(subject to subparagraph (E))’’ after ‘‘shall apply’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(f), substituted
‘‘within 30 days after the close of such quarter’’ for ‘‘on
or before August 15 of such calendar year’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(D). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(g), substituted
‘‘within 45 days after the close of such quarter’’ for ‘‘on
or before November 1 of such calendar year’’.
Subsec. (i)(2)(E). Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(h), struck out sub-
par. (E) providing that ‘‘Notwithstanding a determina-
tion by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) that a
base quarter in any calendar year is a cost-of-living
computation quarter (and notwithstanding any notifi-
cation or publication thereof under subparagraph (C) or
(D)), no increase in benefits shall take effect pursuant
thereto, and such quarter shall be deemed not to be a
cost-of-living computation quarter, if during the cal-
endar year in which such determination is made a law
providing a general benefit increase under this sub-
chapter is enacted or becomes effective.’’
1972—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 92–336, § 202(a)(3)(A), in-
serted ‘‘(or, if larger, the amount in column IV of the
latest table deemed to be such table under subsection
(i)(2)(D))’’ after ‘‘the following table’’ in par. (1)(A), and
‘‘(whether enacted by another law or deemed to be such
table under subsection (i)(2)(D))’’ after ‘‘effective
month of a new table’’ in par. (2).
Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(a), revised benefits table by sub-
stituting ‘‘Primary insurance amount under 1971 Act’’
for ‘‘Primary insurance amount under 1969 Act’’ and
$70.40–$295.40 for $64.00 or less—$250.70 in column II, add-
ing $751–$996 under minimum average monthly wage
subcolumn of column III, adding $755–$1000 under max-
imum average monthly wage subcolumn of column III,
substituting $84.50–$404.50 for $70.40–$295.40 in column
IV, and $126.80–$707.90 for $105.60–$517.00 in column V.
Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(c), inserted ‘‘The primary insur-
ance amount of an insured individual shall be deter-
mined as follows:’’ after ‘‘(a)’’, redesignated introduc-
tory material and pars. (1) to (3) as par. (1) and subpars.
(A) to (C) respectively, and as so redesignated, in par.
(1) inserted provision relating to exception in par. (2)
and in subpars. (A) to (C) made changes in phraseology,
and redesignated par. (4) as par. (2) and as so redesig-
nated, inserted provisions relating to determination of
primary insurance amount where individual was enti-
tled to disability insurance benefits under section 423 of
this title.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 92–603, § 101(a)(1), inserted ref-
erence to paragraph (3) in provisions preceding subpar.
(A).
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 92–603, § 101(c), designated exist-
ing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted ‘‘(whether en-
acted by another law or deemed to be such table under
subsection (i)(2)(D) of this section)’’, and added subpar.
(B).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 92–603, § 101(a)(2), added par. (3)
and provisions following such par. (3) covering the indi-
vidual’s ‘‘years of coverage’’ for purposes of par. (3).
Pub. L. 92–603, § 144(a)(1), substituted in column II
‘‘254.40’’ for ‘‘251.40’’ and in column III ‘‘696’’ for ‘‘699’’.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 92–603, § 104(b), struck out pro-
visions setting a separate age computation point for
women and reduced from age 65 to age 62 the age com-
putation point for men.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 92–336, § 202(a)(3)(B), substituted
provisions relating to an individual who becomes enti-
tled to benefits in or after the month in which a new
table that appears in (or is deemed by subsec. (i)(2)(D)
to appear in) subsec. (a) becomes effective for provi-
sions relating to an individual who becomes entitled to
benefits after August 1972 in subpar. (A), substituted
provisions relating to an individual who dies in or after
the month in which such table becomes effective for
provisions relating to an individual who dies after Au-
gust 1972 in subpar. (B), and added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(d), substituted ‘‘August 1972’’ for
‘‘December 1970’’ in two places.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 92–336, § 202(a)(3)(C), substituted
provisions relating to the computation of an individ-
ual’s primary insurance amount based on the law in ef-
fect prior to the month in which the latest table ap-
pearing in (or is deemed to be appearing in) subsec. (a)
of this section becomes effective, for provisions relat-
ing to the computation of an individual’s primary in-
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surance amount based on the law in effect prior to Sep-
tember 1972 in subpar. (1), and substituted ‘‘, or who
died, before such effective month’’ for ‘‘before Sep-
tember 1972, or who died before such month’’ in subpar.
(2).
Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(e), substituted ‘‘September 1972’’
for ‘‘March 17, 1971’’ in two places, and ‘‘month’’ for
‘‘date’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(C)(iv). Pub. L. 92–603, § 142(b), added cl.
(iv).
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 92–603, §§ 134(b), 142(c), inserted
references to subsec. (f)(6) of this section and section
431 of this title.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 92–336, § 203(a)(4), inserted pro-
visions eliminating from the computation of an indi-
vidual’s average monthly wage excess amounts in cal-
endar years after 1971 and before 1975, and excess over
amounts equal to the contribution and benefit base in
the case of any calendar year after 1974 with respect to
which such contribution and benefit base is effective.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 92–603, §§ 101(d), 134(a)(1), in-
serted reference to subsec. (a)(3) of this section in pro-
visions preceding subpar. (A) and in subpar. (B) struck
out provision relating to any individual whose increase
in his primary insurance amount is attributable to
compensation which, upon his death, is treated as re-
muneration for employment under section 405(o) of this
title.
Pub. L. 92–336, § 201(f), substituted ‘‘subsection (a)(1)
(A) and (C) of this section’’ for ‘‘subsection (a) (1) and
(3) of this section.’’
Subsec. (f)(6). Pub. L. 92–603, § 134(a)(2), added par. (6).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 92–336, § 202(a)(1), added subsec. (i).
Subsec. (i)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 92–603, § 101(e), inserted
‘‘(but not including a primary insurance amount deter-
mined under subsection (a)(3) of this section)’’ after
‘‘under this subchapter’’.
1971—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 92–5, § 201(a), revised bene-
fits table by: substituting ‘‘Primary insurance amount
under 1969 Act’’ for ‘‘Primary insurance amount under
1967 Act’’ and $64.00 or less—$250.70 for $55.40 or less—
$218.00 in column II, adding $653–$746 under minimum
average monthly wage subcolumn of column III, strik-
ing out $650 and adding $652–$750 under maximum aver-
age monthly wage subcolumn of column III, sub-
stituting $70.40–$295.40 for $64.00–$250.70 in column IV,
and $105.60–$517.00 for $96.00–$434.40 in column V.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 92–5, § 201(c), substituted ‘‘De-
cember 1970’’ for ‘‘December 1969’’ in two places.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 92–5, § 201(d), substituted ‘‘prior to
March 17, 1971’’ for ‘‘prior to December 30, 1969’’ in sub-
par. 1, and substituted ‘‘before March 17, 1971, or who
died before such date’’ for ‘‘before January 1970, or who
died before such month’’ in subpar. 2.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 92–5, § 203(a)(4), substituted
‘‘the excess over $7,800 in the case of any calendar year
after 1967 and before 1972, and the excess over $9,000 in
the case of any calendar year after 1971’’ for ‘‘and the
excess over $7,800 in the case of any calendar year after
1967’’.
1969—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1002(a), revised ben-
efits table to increase: the primary insurance amount
limits to $64.00–$250.70 for people whose average month-
ly wage is $76.00 or less for the minimum, and $650.00 for
the maximum, the primary insurance amounts of re-
tired workers on the benefit rolls from $48.00 or less to
$55.40 at the minimum, and from $168.00 to $218.00 at the
maximum,
and
the
family
benefits
limits
to
$96.00–$434.40 from $82.50–$434.40.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1002(c), substituted ref-
erences to December 1969 for references to January
1968.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–172, § 1002(d), substituted ‘‘De-
cember 30, 1969’’ for ‘‘January 2, 1968’’ in subpar. (1),
and ‘‘January 1970’’ for ‘‘February 1968’’ in subpar. (2).
1968—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–248, § 101(a), revised bene-
fits table to increase: the primary insurance amount
limits to $55.00—$218.00 for people whose average
monthly wage is $74.00 or less for the minimum and
$650.00 for the maximum, the primary insurance
amounts of retired workers on the benefit rolls from
$48.00 or less to $55.00 at the minimum and from $168.00
to $189.90 at the maximum, and the family benefit lim-
its to $82.50–$434.40 from $66.00–$368.00.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 90–248, § 101(c)(1), amended par.
(4) generally, substituting ‘‘January 1968’’ for ‘‘Decem-
ber 1965’’ in subpars. (A) and (B), striking out ‘‘, as
amended by the Social Security Amendments of 1965;’’
at end of subpar. (C), and striking out provision that
the subsection would not apply to any individual de-
scribed therein for purposes of monthly benefits for
months before January 1966.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 90–248, § 101(c)(2), struck out
par. (5) which preserved the method in effect before the
enactment of the 1965 amendments of computing aver-
age monthly earnings for people who become entitled
to benefits or a recomputation of benefits before 1966.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–248, § 101(d), substituted ‘‘1965
Act’’ for ‘‘1958 Act, as modified’’ in heading and ‘‘on the
basis of the law in effect prior to the enactment of the
Social Security Amendments of 1967’’ for ‘‘as provided
in, and subject to the limitations specified in, (A) this
section as in effect prior to July 30, 1965 and (B) the ap-
plicable provisions of the Social Security Amendments
of 1960’’ in par. (1) and ‘‘the month of February 1968, or
who died before such month’’ for ‘‘July 30, 1965 or who
died before such date’’ in par. (2).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 90–248, § 155(a)(1), amended par.
(1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as fol-
lows: ‘‘For the purposes of column I of the table appear-
ing in subsection (a) of this section, an individual’s pri-
mary insurance benefit shall be computed as provided
in this subchapter as in effect prior to August 28, 1950,
except that—
‘‘(A) In the computation of such benefit, such indi-
vidual’s average monthly wage shall (in lieu of being
determined under section 409(f) of this title as in ef-
fect prior to August 28, 1950) be determined as pro-
vided in subsection (b) of this section (but without re-
gard to paragraphs (4) and (5) thereof), except that for
the purposes of paragraphs (2)(C) and (3) of subsection
(b) of this section, 1936, shall be used instead of 1950.
‘‘(B) For purposes of such computation, the date he
became entitled to old-age insurance benefits shall be
deemed to be the date he became entitled to primary
insurance benefits.
‘‘(C) The 1 per centum addition provided for in sec-
tion 409(e)(2) of this title as in effect prior to August
28, 1950 shall be applicable only with respect to cal-
endar years prior to 1951, except that any wages paid
in any year prior to such year all of which was in-
cluded in a period of disability shall not be counted.
‘‘(D) The provisions of subsection (e) of this section
shall be applicable to such computation.’’
Subsec. (d)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 90–248, § 155(a)(2), struck
out subpar. (B), redesignated subpar. (C) as (B), inserted
exception phrase at beginning of subpar. (B), and added
subpar. (C).
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 90–248, § 155(a)(3), amended par.
(3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as fol-
lows: ‘‘The provisions of this subsection as in effect
prior to September 13, 1960 shall be applicable in the
case of an individual who meets the requirements of
subsection (b)(5) of this section (as in effect after Sep-
tember 13, 1965).’’
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 90–248, § 108(a)(4), substituted
‘‘the excess over $6,600 in the case of any calendar year
after 1965 and before 1968, and the excess over $7,800 in
the case of any calendar year after 1967’’ for ‘‘and the
excess over $6,600 in the case of any calendar year after
1965’’.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 90–248, § 155(a)(4), (5), struck out
subpars. (A) to (D) and text preceding (A) by sub-
stituting provisions that if an individual has wages or
self-employment income for a year after 1965 for any
part of which he is entitled to old-age insurance bene-
fits, the Secretary is to recompute his primary insur-
ance amount with respect to each such year, and that
such recomputation shall be made as provided in sub-
sec. (a)(1) and (3) as though the year with respect to
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which such recomputation is made is the last year of
the period specified in subsec. (b)(2)(C) for former provi-
sions for a recomputation with respect to each year
after Dec. 31, 1964, and for any part of which an indi-
vidual was entitled to old-age insurance benefits, that
such recomputation was to be made as provided in sub-
sec. (a)(1) and (3) if such year was either the year in
which he became entitled to such old-age insurance
benefits or the preceding year or as provided in subsec.
(a)(1) in any other case, and that in all cases such re-
computation was to be made as though the year with
respect to which it was to be made was the last year of
the period specified in subsec. (b)(2)(C); and redesig-
nated subpars. (E) and (F) as (A) and (B).
Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 90–248, § 155(a)(6), added par. (5).
Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 90–248, § 403(b), substituted
‘‘subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5’’ for ‘‘the Civil
Service Retirement Act’’ in two places.
1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–97, § 301(a), revised the
benefits table to increase: the primary insurance
amount limits to $44–$168 for people whose average
monthly wage is $67 or less for the minimum and $550
for the maximum from $40–$127 for people whose aver-
age monthly wage is $67 or less for the minimum and
$400 for the maximum (representing an increase of 7-
percent for average monthly wages of $400 or less with
minimum increase of $4); the primary insurance
amounts of retired workers on the benefit rolls from $40
to $44 at the minimum and from $127 to $135.90 at the
maximum; and the family benefit limits to $66–$368
from $60–$254 (determined on basis of new formula and
representing minimum increase of $6).
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 89–97, § 304(k), substituted ‘‘the
primary insurance amount upon which such disability
insurance benefit is based’’ for ‘‘such disability insur-
ance benefit’’.
Pub. L. 89–97, § 303(e), amended introductory provi-
sions generally. Prior to amendment, introductory pro-
visions read as follows: ‘‘In the case of—
‘‘(A) a woman who was entitled to a disability in-
surance benefit for the month before the month in
which she died or became entitled to old-age insur-
ance benefits, or
‘‘(B) a man who was entitled to a disability insur-
ance benefit for the month before the month in which
he died or attained age 65,’’.
Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(a)(1), excluded
from an insured individual’s computation base years
the year in which he became entitled to benefits and in-
cluded in his computation base years (for purposes of
survivors’ benefits) the year in which he died to make
an individual’s computation base years the calendar
years occurring after 1950 and up to the year in which
his first month of entitlement to a benefit occurred or
the year after the year in which he died.
Subsec. (b)(3)(A) to (C). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(a)(2), sub-
stituted in: cl. (A) ‘‘, if it occurred earlier but after
1960, the year in which she attained age 62,’’ for ‘‘(if
earlier) the first year after 1960 in which she both was
fully insured and had attained age 62.’’; cl. (B) ‘‘, if it
occurred earlier but after 1960, the year in which he at-
tained age 65’’ for ‘‘(if earlier) the first year after 1960
in which he both was fully insured and had attained age
65’’; and cl. (C) ‘‘the year occurring after 1960 in which
he attained (or would attain) age 65’’ for ‘‘the first year
after 1960 in which he attained (or would attain) age 65
or (if later) the first year in which he was fully in-
sured’’.
Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(a)(3), amended
pars. (4) and (5) generally. Prior to amendment, pars.
(4) and (5) read as follows:
‘‘(4) The provisions of this subsection shall be appli-
cable only in the case of an individual with respect to
whom not less than six of the quarters elapsing after
1950 are quarters of coverage, and—
‘‘(A) who becomes entitled to benefits after Decem-
ber 1960 under section [section 402(a) or section 423 of
this title]; or
‘‘(B) who dies after December 1960 without being en-
titled to benefits under section [section 402(a) or sec-
tion 423 of this title]; or
‘‘(C) who files an application for a recomputation
under subsection (f)(2)(A) of this section after Decem-
ber 1960 and is (or would, but for the provisions of
subsection (f)(6) of this section, be) entitled to have
his primary insurance amount recomputed under sub-
section (f)(2)(A) of this section; or
‘‘(D) who dies after December 1960 and whose sur-
vivors are (or would, but for the provisions of sub-
section (f)(6) of this section, be) entitled to a re-
computation of his primary insurance amount under
subsection (f)(4) of this section.
‘‘(5) In the case of any individual—
‘‘(A) to whom the provisions of this subsection are
not made applicable by paragraph (4), but
‘‘(B)(i) prior to 1961, met the requirements of this
paragraph (including subparagraph (E) thereof) as in
effect prior to the enactment of the Social Security
Amendments of 1960, or (ii) after 1960, meets the con-
ditions of subparagraph (E) of this paragraph as in ef-
fect prior to such enactment,
then the provisions of this subsection as in effect prior
to such enactment shall apply to such individual for
the purposes of column III of the table appearing in
subsection (a) of this section.’’
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–97, § 301(b), substituted in par.
(1)(A) ‘‘prior to the enactment of the Social Security
Amendments of 1965’’ and executed in the Code ‘‘prior
to July 30, 1965’’ for ‘‘prior to the enactment of the So-
cial Security Amendments of 1958’’ and executed in the
Code ‘‘prior to August 28, 1958’’; in par. (1)(B) ‘‘Social
Security Amendments of 1960’’ for ‘‘Social Security
Amendments of 1954’’; in par. (2), formerly designated
(2)(A), ‘‘before July 30, 1965 or who died before such
date’’ for ‘‘or died prior to January 1959’’; and deleted
par. (2)(B) making the provisions of the subsection ap-
plicable only in the case of an individual ‘‘to whom the
provisions of neither paragraph (4) nor paragraph (5) of
subsection (b) of this section are applicable.’’
Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(b)(1), substituted
‘‘(2)(C) and (3)’’ for ‘‘(2)(C)(i) and (3)(A)(i)’’, ‘‘1936’’ for
‘‘December 31, 1936,’’ and ‘‘1950’’ for ‘‘December 31,
1950’’.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(b)(2), substituted
‘‘1965’’ for ‘‘1960’’ and struck out before period at end
‘‘but without regard to whether such individual has six
quarters of coverage after 1950’’.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 89–97, § 320(a)(4), substituted
‘‘the excess over $4,800 in the case of any calendar year
after 1958 and before 1966, and the excess over $6,600 in
the case of any calendar year after 1965’’ for ‘‘and the
excess over $4,800 in the case of any calendar year after
1958’’.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(c), struck out par.
(3) which provided that for the purposes of subsecs. (b)
and (d) of this section, if an individual had self-employ-
ment income in a taxable year which began prior to the
calendar year in which he became entitled to old-age
insurance benefits and ended after the last day of the
month preceding the month in which he became so en-
titled, his self-employment income in such taxable year
should not be counted in determining his benefit com-
putation years, except as provided in subsection
(f)(3)(C) of this section.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(d)(1), substituted
provisions for annual automatic recomputation of ben-
efits, taking into account any earnings the person had
in or after the year in which he became entitled to ben-
efits, and effective in the case of a living beneficiary
with January of the year following the year in which
the earnings were received and in death cases for sur-
vivors’ benefits beginning with the month of death for
former provisions which required an application for the
recomputation to include earnings in a year after enti-
tlement and that the person have six quarters of cov-
erage after 1950 to qualify for the recomputation and
was not available unless the person had earnings of
more than $1,200 for the year.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(d)(2), redesignated
par. (5) as (3) and repealed former par. (3) which pro-
vided for a recomputation of benefits to include earn-
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ings in the year of entitlement to benefits or in the
year in which an individual’s benefits were recomputed
on account of additional earnings and is now covered
by the annual automatic recomputation of benefits pro-
vision of subsec. (f)(2) of this section.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(d)(2), redesignated
par. (6) as (4) and repealed former par. (4) which pro-
vided for a recomputation of benefits for the purpose of
paying benefits to survivors of an individual who died
after 1960 and who had been entitled to old-age insur-
ance benefits and is now covered by the annual auto-
matic recomputation of benefits provision of subsec.
(f)(2) of this section.
Subsec. (f)(5), (6). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(d)(2), redesig-
nated pars. (5) and (6) as (3) and (4), respectively.
Subsec. (f)(7). Pub. L. 89–97, § 302(d)(2), repealed par.
(7) which provided for recomputation at age 65 of the
benefits of an individual who became entitled to bene-
fits before that age and is now covered by the annual
automatic recomputation of benefits provision of sub-
sec. (f)(2) of this section.
1961—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 87–64, §§ 101(a), 102(d)(1), in-
creased minimum primary insurance amount from $33
to $40, and minimum family benefit from $53 to $60, and
in the case of a man, limited provisions which permit
the primary insurance amount to be equal to the dis-
ability insurance benefit for the month before the
month in which the man became entitled to old-age in-
surance benefits only if the man first became entitled
to old-age insurance benefits at age 65.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 87–64, § 102(d)(2), substituted
‘‘For purposes of paragraph (2), the number of an indi-
vidual’s elapsed years is the number of calendar years
after 1950 (or, if later, the year in which he attained age
21) and before—
‘‘(A) in the case of a woman, the year in which she
died or (if earlier) the first year after 1960 in which
she both was fully insured and had attained age 62,
‘‘(B) in the case of a man who has died, the year in
which he died or (if earlier) the first year after 1960
in which he both was fully insured and had attained
age 65, or
‘‘(C) in the case of a man who has not died, the first
year after 1960 in which he attained (or would attain)
age 65 or (if later) the first year in which he was fully
insured’’
for the following provisions: ‘‘For the purposes of para-
graph (2), an individual’s ‘elapsed years’ shall be the
number of calendar years—
‘‘(A) after (i) December 31, 1950, or (ii) if later, De-
cember 31 of the year in which he attained the age of
twenty-one, and
‘‘(B) prior to (i) the year in which he died, or (ii) if
earlier, the first year after December 31, 1960, in
which he both was fully insured and had attained re-
tirement age.’’
Subsec. (f)(7). Pub. L. 87–64, § 102(d)(3), added par. (7).
1960—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(a), sub-
stituted provisions defining ‘‘average monthly wage’’
as the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the total of an
individual’s wages paid in and self-employment income
credited to his benefit computation years, by (B) the
number of months in such years, for provisions which
defined the term as the quotient obtained by dividing
the total of his wages and self-employment income
after his starting date and prior to his closing date by
the number of months elapsing after such starting date
and prior to such closing date, excluding the months in
any year prior to the year in which the individual at-
tained the age of 22 if less than two quarters of such
prior years were quarters of coverage and the months
in any year any part of which was included in a period
of disability except the months in the year in which
such period of disability began if their inclusion will
result in a higher primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(a), substituted pro-
visions relating to benefit computation years and to
computation base years for provisions which defined an
individual’s starting date as December 31, 1950, or if
later, the last day of the year in which he attains the
age of 21, whichever results in the higher primary in-
surance amount.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(a), substituted pro-
visions defining an individual’s elapsed years for provi-
sions which defined an individual’s closing date as the
first day of the year in which he died or became enti-
tled to old-age insurance benefits, whichever first oc-
curred, or the first day of the first year in which he
both was fully insured and had attained retirement age,
whichever results in the higher primary insurance
amount.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(a), substituted pro-
visions prescribing the applicability of subsec. (f) for
provisions which required the Secretary to determine
the five or fewer calendar years after an individual’s
starting date and prior to his closing date which, if the
months of such years and his wages and self-employ-
ment income for such years were excluded in com-
puting his average monthly wage, would produce the
highest primary insurance amount, and which required
exclusion of such months and such wages and self-em-
ployment income for purposes of computing an individ-
ual’s average monthly wage.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(a), substituted pro-
visions making subsec. (f) applicable in the case of an
individual to whom the provisions of subsec. (f) are not
made applicable by par. (4) but prior to 1961, met the re-
quirements of this paragraph as in effect prior to Sept.
13, 1960, or, after 1960, meets the conditions of subpar.
(E) of this paragraph as in effect prior to Sept. 13, 1960,
for provisions which prescribed the applicability of sub-
sec. (f) of this section. Former provisions of par. (5)
were covered by par. (4) of this section.
Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(b), substituted
‘‘to whom the provisions of neither paragraph (4) nor
paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of this section are appli-
cable’’ for ‘‘to whom the provisions of paragraph (5) of
subsection (b) of this section are not applicable’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(c)(1), substituted
‘‘be determined as provided in subsection (b) of this
section (but without regard to paragraphs (4) and (5)
thereof), except that for the purposes of paragraphs
(2)(C)(i) and (3)(A)(i) of subsection (b) of this section,
December 31, 1936, shall be used instead of December 31,
1950’’ for ‘‘be determined as provided in subsection (b)
of this section (but without regard to paragraph (5)
thereof), except that his starting date shall be Decem-
ber 31, 1936’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(c)(2), substituted
‘‘all of which was included’’ for ‘‘any part of which was
included’’, and struck out provisions which required
the wages paid in the year in which the period of dis-
ability began to be counted if the counting of such
wages would result in a higher primary insurance
amount.
Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(c)(3), substituted
‘‘paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this section’’ for
‘‘paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of this section’’.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(c)(4), added par. (3).
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(d)(1), substituted
‘‘if an individual has self-employment income in a tax-
able year which begins prior to the calendar year in
which he becomes entitled to old-age insurance benefits
and ends after the last day of the month preceding the
month in which he becomes so entitled, his self-em-
ployment income in such taxable year shall not be
counted in determining his benefit computation years’’
for ‘‘if an individual’s closing date is determined under
paragraph (3)(A) of subsection (b) of this section and he
has self-employment income in a taxable year which
begins prior to such closing date and ends after the last
day of the month preceding the month in which he be-
comes entitled to old-age insurance benefits, there
shall not be counted, in determining his average
monthly wage, his self-employment income in such
taxable year’’.
Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(d)(2), struck out
par. (4) which prohibited, in computing an individual’s
average monthly wage, the counting of any wages paid
such individual in any year any part of which was in-
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cluded in a period of disability, or any self-employment
income of such individual credited pursuant to section
412 of this title to any year any part of which was in-
cluded in a period of disability, unless the months of
such year are included as elapsed months pursuant to
subsec. (b)(1)(B) of this section.
Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(e)(1), substituted
‘‘1960’’ for ‘‘1954’’ in opening provisions, and ‘‘filed such
application after such calendar year’’ for ‘‘filed such
application no earlier than six months after such cal-
endar year’’ in cl. (iii).
Subsec. (f)(2)(B). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(e)(2), substituted
provisions requiring a recomputation pursuant to sub-
par. (A) to be made only as provided in subsec. (a)(1) of
this section, if the provisions of subsec. (b) of this sec-
tion, as amended by Pub. L. 86–778, were applicable to
the last previous computation of the individual’s pri-
mary insurance amount, or as provided in subsec. (a)(1)
and (3) of this section in all other cases for provisions
which required a recomputation to be made only as
provided in subsec. (a) of this section, inserted provi-
sions requiring the computation base years, if cl. (i) of
this subparagraph is applicable to such recomputation,
to include only calendar years occurring prior to the
year in which he filed his application for such recompu-
tation, and struck out provisions which prescribed the
method of making the recomputation if subsec. (b)(4) of
this section were applicable to the previous computa-
tion.
Subsec. (f)(3)(A). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(e)(3), substituted
‘‘December 1960’’ for ‘‘August 1954’’ in two places,
struck out provisions which related to applications by
individuals whose primary insurance amount was re-
computed under section 102(e)(5) or 102(f)(2)(B) of the
Social Security Amendments of 1954, and substituted
‘‘except that such individual’s computation base years
referred to in subsection (b)(2) of this section shall in-
clude the calendar year referred to in the preceding
sentence’’ for ‘‘except that his closing date for purposes
of subsection (b) of this section shall be the first day of
the year following the year in which he became enti-
tled to old-age insurance benefits or in which he filed
his application for the last recomputation (to which he
was entitled) of his primary insurance amount under
any provision of law referred to in clause (ii) or (iii) of
the preceding sentence, whichever is later’’.
Subsec. (f)(3)(B). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(e)(3), substituted
‘‘December 1960’’ for ‘‘August 1954’’ in three places,
struck out provisions which related to individuals
whose primary insurance amount was recomputed
under section 102(e)(5) or section 102(f)(2) of the Social
Security Amendments of 1954, and individuals with re-
spect to whom the last previous computation or re-
computation of their primary insurance amount was
based upon a closing date determined under subpar. (A)
or (B) of subsec. (b)(3) of this section, and substituted
‘‘except that such individual’s computation base years
referred to in subsection (b)(2) of this section shall in-
clude the calendar year in which he died in the case of
an individual who was not entitled to old-age insurance
benefits at the time of death or whose primary insur-
ance amount was recomputed under paragraph (4) of
this subsection, or in all other cases, the calendar year
in which he filed his application for the last previous
computation of his primary insurance amount’’ for ‘‘ex-
cept that his closing date for purposes of subsection (b)
of this section shall be the day following the year of
death in case he died without becoming entitled to old-
age insurance benefits, or in case he was entitled to
old-age insurance benefits, the day following the year
in which was filed the application for the last previous
computation of his primary insurance amount or in
which the individual died, whichever first occurred’’.
Subsec. (f)(3)(C). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(e)(3), substituted
‘‘In the case of an individual who becomes entitled to
old-age insurance benefits in a calendar year after 1960,
if such individual has self-employment income in a tax-
able year which begins prior to such calendar year and
ends after the last day of the month preceding the
month in which he became so entitled, the Secretary
shall recompute such individual’s primary insurance
amount after the close of such taxable year and shall
take into account in determining the individual’s ben-
efit computation years only such self-employment in-
come in such taxable year as is credited, pursuant to
section 412 of this title, to the year preceding the year
in which he became so entitled’’ for ‘‘If an individual’s
closing date is determined under paragraph (3)(A) of
subsection (b) of this section and he has self-employ-
ment income in a taxable year which begins prior to
such closing date and ends after the last day of the
month preceding the month in which he became enti-
tled to old-age insurance benefits, the Secretary shall
recompute his primary insurance amount after the
close of such taxable year, taking into account only
such self-employment income in such taxable year as
is, pursuant to section 412 of this title, allocated to cal-
endar quarters prior to such closing date.’’
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 86–778, § 303(e)(4), struck out
‘‘(without the application of clause (iii) thereof)’’ after
‘‘paragraph (2)(A)’’ in cl. (A), struck out provisions
from the second sentence which required, if the re-
computation is permitted by subpar. (A), to include in
such recomputation any compensation (described in
section 405(o) of this title) paid to him prior to the clos-
ing date which would have been applicable under such
paragraph, and substituted ‘‘which were considered in
the last previous computation of his primary insurance
amount and the compensation (described in section
405(o) of this title) paid to him in the years in which
such wages were paid or to which such self-employment
income was credited’’ for ‘‘which were taken into ac-
count in the last previous computation of his primary
insurance amount and the compensation (described in
section 405(o) of this title) paid to him prior to the clos-
ing date applicable to such computation’’ in third sen-
tence.
Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 86–778, § 304(a), substituted
‘‘then upon application filed by such individual after
the close of such taxable year and prior to January 1961
or (if he died without filing such application and such
death occurred prior to January 1961)’’ for ‘‘then upon
application filed after the close of such taxable year by
such individual (or if he died without filing such appli-
cation)’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 86–778, § 211(n), inserted ‘‘and de-
ductions under section 403(b) of this title’’.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 86–778, § 103(j)(2)(C), substituted
‘‘section 410(l)(1) of this title’’ for ‘‘section 410(m)(1) of
this title’’, in par. (1).
Pub. L. 86–415 added subsec. (h).
1958—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 85–840, § 101(a), amended sub-
sec. (a) generally, and, among other changes, sub-
stituted a new method for computing the primary in-
surance amount of an individual for provisions which
established the primary insurance amount as either
55% of the first $110 of an individual’s average monthly
wage, plus 20% of the next $240, or the amount deter-
mined by use of the conversion table under former sub-
sec. (c) of this section, whichever was larger.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 85–840, § 101(b)(1), substituted
‘‘For the purposes of column III of the table appearing
in subsection (a) of this section, an’’ for ‘‘An’’.
Subsec. (b)(5). Public L. 85–840, § 101(b)(2), added par.
(5).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 85–840, § 101(c), amended subsec.
(c) generally, and, among other changes, substituted
provisions for computation of the primary insurance
amount of an individual under the 1954 Act for provi-
sions which related to determinations made by use of
the conversion table.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 85–840, § 101(d), substituted provi-
sions for computation of the primary insurance benefit
under the 1939 Act for provisions which related to de-
termination of the primary insurance benefit and pri-
mary insurance amount for purposes of the conversion
table in former subsec. (c) of this section.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 85–840, § 102(d)(2), substituted
‘‘subsections (b) and (d)’’ for ‘‘subsections (b) and
(d)(4)’’ in opening provisions.
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Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 85–840, § 102(d)(1), inserted ‘‘and
before 1959, and the excess over $4,800 in the case of any
calendar year after 1958’’ after ‘‘after 1954’’.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 85–840, § 102(d), substituted
‘‘subsection (d)’’ for ‘‘subsection (d)(4)’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 85–840, § 205(m), struck out provi-
sions which related to reduction under section 424 of
this title.
1956—Subsec. (a)(3). Act Aug. 1, 1956, § 103(c)(4), added
par. (3).
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Aug. 1, 1956, § 115(a), excluded from
computation of an individual’s average wage the
months in any year any part of which was included in
a period of disability, except the months in any year in
which a period of disability began if their inclusion
would result in a higher primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (b)(4). Act Aug. 1, 1956, § 109(a), substituted
‘‘five’’ for ‘‘four’’, and struck out provisions which re-
quired the maximum number of calendar years deter-
mined under this clause to be five in the case of any in-
dividual who has not less than 20 quarters of coverage.
Subsec. (d)(5). Act Aug. 1, 1956, § 115(b), excluded from
the computation all quarters in any year prior to 1951
any part of which was included in a period of disability,
except the quarters in the year in which a period of dis-
ability began if the inclusion of such quarters would re-
sult in a higher primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (e)(4). Act Aug. 1, 1956, § 115(c), excluded any
wages paid to an individual in any year any part of
which was included in a period of disability, and any
self-employment income credited to such year unless
the months of such year are included as elapsed
months.
Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 1, 1956, § 103(c)(5), inserted ref-
erences to sections 423 and 424 of this title.
1954—Subsec. (a). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(a), provided a
new benefit formula, for computing primary insurance
amount for certain individuals, of 55 percent of the first
$110 of average monthly wage plus 20 percent of the
next $240 and provided that other individuals have their
primary insurance amount computed under subsection
(c) of this section.
Subsec. (b). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(b), provided stand-
ard end-of-the-year starting and beginning-of-the-year
closing dates, applicable to both wage earners and self-
employed individuals, for computation of the average
monthly wage, and provided for the exclusion of up to
5 years in which earnings were lowest (or non-existent)
from the average monthly wage computation.
Subsec. (b)(1). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 106(c)(1), inserted
‘‘and any month in any quarter any part of which was
included in a period of disability (as defined in section
416(i) of this title) unless such quarter was a quarter of
coverage’’ after ‘‘quarters of coverage’’.
Subsec. (c). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(c), provided a new
conversion table with increased benefits for individuals
already on the rolls and computed the primary insur-
ance amount of certain individuals who come on the
rolls after the enactment of the act.
Subsec. (d). Act. Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(d), inserted provi-
sions for computation of a primary insurance amount
for purposes of the conversion table.
Subsec. (d)(5). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 106(c)(2), added sub-
sec. (d)(5). Former subsec. (d)(5), which was added by
act July 18, 1952, § 3(c)(3), ceased to be in effect at the
close of June 30, 1953. See Termination Date of 1952
Amendment note set out under section 413 of this title.
Subsec. (d)(6). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(d)(4), added par.
(6).
Subsec. (e). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 104(d), provided that
earnings up to $4,200, in any calendar year after 1954,
shall be used in the computation of an individual’s av-
erage monthly wage.
Subsec. (e)(3). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(e)(1), added par.
(3).
Subsec. (e)(4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 106(c)(3), added par.
(4).
Subsec. (f)(2). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(e)(2), substituted
a new test for determining eligibility for a recomputa-
tion to take into account additional earnings after en-
titlement.
Subsec. (f)(3)(A), (B). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(e)(3)(A),
amended provisions generally.
Subsec. (f)(3)(C). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(e)(3)(B), added
subpar. (C).
Subsec. (f)(4). Act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(e)(4), provided for
recomputation of the primary insurance on the death
after 1954 of an old-age insurance beneficiary, if any
person is entitled to monthly survivors benefits or to a
lump-sum death payment on the basis of his wages and
self-employment income.
1952—Subsec. (a)(1). Act July 18, 1952, § 2(b)(1), pro-
vided a new benefit formula for the computation of
benefits based entirely on wages paid and self-employ-
ment income derived after 1950 of 55 percent of the first
$100 of average monthly wage and 15 percent of next
$200 and increased the primary insurance amount.
Subsec. (b)(1). Act July 18, 1952, § 3(c)(1), inserted ‘‘and
any month in any quarter any part of which was in-
cluded in a period of disability (as defined in section
416(i) of this title) unless such quarter was quarter of
coverage’’ after ‘‘not a quarter of coverage.’’
Subsec. (b)(4). Act July 18, 1952, § 3(c)(2), inserted pro-
visions of subpars. (B) and (C).
Subsec. (c)(1). Act July 18, 1952, § 2(a)(1), inserted a
new conversion table and increased amounts.
Subsec. (c)(2). Act July 18, 1952, § 2(a)(2), provided that
individuals, whose primary insurance amounts are gov-
erned by regulations, shall have the same increase as is
provided for individuals governed by the new conver-
sion table.
Subsec. (c)(4). Act July 18, 1952, § 2(a)(3), added par.
(4).
Subsec. (d)(5). Act July 18, 1952, § 3(c)(3), added par.
(5).
Subsec. (f)(2). Act July 18, 1952, § 6(a), provided that
upon application an individual will have his benefit re-
computed by the new formula prescribed in subsec.
(a)(1) of this section under certain conditions.
Subsec. (f)(5), (6). Act July 18, 1952, § 6(b), added par.
(5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
CHANGE OF NAME
‘‘Secretary of Health and Human Services’’ and ‘‘De-
partment of Health and Human Services’’ substituted
for ‘‘Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare’’ and
‘‘Department of Health, Education, and Welfare’’, re-
spectively, pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88,
which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Edu-
cation.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2025 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 118–273 applicable with re-
spect to monthly insurance benefits payable under this
subchapter for months after Dec. 2023, with require-
ment, notwithstanding subsec. (f) of this section, for
the Commissioner of Social Security to adjust primary
insurance amounts to the extent necessary to take into
account such amendment, see section 4 of Pub. L.
118–273, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 107(a)(4) of Pub. L. 103–296 ef-
fective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L.
103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
Pub. L. 103–296, title III, § 307(c), Aug. 15, 1994, 108
Stat. 1522, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this section [amending this section] shall apply (not-
withstanding section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 415(f)(1))) with respect to benefits pay-
able for months after December 1994.’’
Amendment by section 308(b) of Pub. L. 103–296 appli-
cable (notwithstanding subsec. (f) of this section) with
respect to benefits payable for months after Dec. 1994,
see section 308(c) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note
under section 402 of this title.
Pub. L. 103–296, title III, § 321(g)(3)(A), Aug. 15, 1994,
108 Stat. 1543, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made
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§ 415
by paragraph (1) [amending this section and section 430
of this title] shall be effective with respect to the de-
termination of the contribution and benefit base for
years after 1994.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 5117(a) of Pub. L. 101–508 ap-
plicable with respect to computation of primary insur-
ance amount of any insured individual in any case in
which a person becomes entitled to benefits under sec-
tion 402 or 423 of this title on basis of such insured indi-
vidual’s wages and self-employment income for months
after 18-month period following November 1990, but in-
applicable if any person is entitled to benefits based on
wages and self-employment income of such insured in-
dividual for month preceding initial month of such per-
son’s entitlement to such benefits under section 402 or
423, and amendment also applicable with respect to any
primary insurance amount upon recomputation of such
amount if recomputation is first effective for monthly
benefits for months after 18-month period following No-
vember 1990, see section 5117(a)(4) of Pub. L. 101–508, set
out as a note under section 403 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1989 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 10208(b)(1), (2)(A), (B), (3), (4)
of Pub. L. 101–239 applicable with respect to computa-
tion of average total wage amounts (under amended
provisions) for calendar years after 1990, see section
10208(c) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under sec-
tion 430 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8003(b), Nov. 10, 1988, 102
Stat. 3780, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to
benefits payable for months after December 1988.’’
Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8011(c), Nov. 10, 1988, 102
Stat. 3789, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by
this section [amending this section] shall apply to ben-
efits based on applications filed after the month in
which this Act is enacted [November 1988].’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 1883(a)(7) of Pub. L. 99–514 ef-
fective Oct. 22, 1986, see section 1883(f) of Pub. L. 99–514,
set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9001(d), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat.
1970, provided that:
‘‘(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the
amendments made by this section [amending this sec-
tion and section 1395r of this title] shall apply with re-
spect to cost-of-living increases determined under sec-
tion 215(i) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(i)]
(as currently in effect, and as in effect in December 1978
and applied in certain cases under the provisions of
such Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.] in effect after December
1978) in 1986 and subsequent years.
‘‘(2) The amendments made by paragraphs (1)(A) and
(2)(B) of subsection (b) [amending this section] shall
apply with respect to months after September 1986.
‘‘(3) The amendment made by subsection (c) [amend-
ing section 1395r of this title] shall apply with respect
to monthly premiums (under section 1839 of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395r]) for months after Decem-
ber 1986.’’
Pub. L. 99–272, title XII, § 12115, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat.
289, provided that: ‘‘Except as otherwise specifically
provided, the preceding provisions of this subtitle [sub-
title A (§§ 12101–12115) of title XII of Pub. L. 99–272,
amending this section and sections 402 to 404, 409, 418,
423, 424a, 907, 909, 910, 1310, and 1383 of this title and sec-
tions 86, 871, 932, and 3121 of Title 26, Internal Revenue
Code, enacting provisions set out as notes under sec-
tions 402 to 404, 409, 418, 424a, 907, and 909 of this title
and section 932 of Title 26, amending provisions set out
as notes under section 1310 of this title, and repealing
provisions set out as a note under section 907 of this
title], including the amendments made thereby, shall
take effect on the first day of the month following the
month in which this Act is enacted [April 1986].’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 2661(k) of Pub. L. 98–369 effec-
tive as though included in the enactment of the Social
Security Amendments of 1983, Pub. L. 98–21, see section
2664(a) of Pub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section
401 of this title.
Amendment by section 2663(a)(10) of Pub. L. 98–369 ef-
fective July 18, 1984, but not to be construed as chang-
ing or affecting any right, liability, status, or interpre-
tation which existed (under the provisions of law in-
volved) before that date, see section 2664(b) of Pub. L.
98–369, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1983 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 111(a)(1)–(3), (6), (b)(1), (2), (c)
of Pub. L. 98–21 applicable with respect to cost-of-living
increases determined under subsec. (i) of this section
for years after 1982, see section 111(a)(8) of Pub. L. 98–21,
set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 111(b)(3), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat.
72, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sub-
section [amending this section] shall apply with re-
spect to cost-of-living increases determined under sec-
tion 215(i) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(i)]
for years after 1983.’’
Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 112(e), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 76,
provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by the pre-
ceding provisions of this section [amending this sec-
tion] shall apply with respect to monthly benefits
under title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401
et seq.] for months after December 1983.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(j)(2)–(4), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1661,
as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2095, provided:
‘‘(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), the
amendments made by section 2201 of the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 [enacting section
1382k of this title, amending this section and sections
402, 403, 417, and 433 of this title] (other than subsection
(f) thereof [amending section 402 of this title]), together
with the amendments made by the preceding sub-
sections of this section [amending this section and sec-
tions 402, 403, and 417 of this title and repealing section
1382k of this title and a provision set out as a note
under section 1382k of this title], shall apply with re-
spect to benefits for months after December 1981; and
the amendment made by subsection (f) of such section
2201 shall apply with respect to deaths occurring after
December 1981.
‘‘(3) Such amendments shall not apply—
‘‘(A) in the case of an old-age insurance benefit, if
the individual who is entitled to such benefit first be-
came eligible (as defined in section 215(a)(3)(B) of the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(a)(3)(B)]) for such
benefit before January 1982,
‘‘(B) in the case of a disability insurance benefit, if
the individual who is entitled to such benefit first be-
came eligible (as so defined) for such benefit before
January 1982, or attained age sixty-two before Janu-
ary 1982,
‘‘(C) in the case of a wife’s or husband’s insurance
benefit, or a child’s insurance benefit based on the
wages and self-employment income of a living indi-
vidual, if the individual on whose wages and self-em-
ployment income such benefit is based is entitled to
an old-age or disability insurance benefit with re-
spect to which such amendments do not apply, or
‘‘(D) in the case of a survivors insurance benefit, if
the individual on whose wages and self-employment
income such benefit is based died before January 1982,
or dies in or after January 1982 and at the time of his
death is eligible (as so defined) for an old-age or dis-
ability insurance benefit with respect to which such
amendments do not apply.
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‘‘(4) In the case of an individual who is a member of
a religious order (within the meaning of section
3121(r)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly
I.R.C. 1954] [26 U.S.C. 3121(r)(2)]), or an autonomous sub-
division of such order, whose members are required to
take a vow of poverty, and which order or subdivision
elected coverage under title II of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1981], or who would be such
a member except that such individual is considered re-
tired because of old age or total disability, paragraphs
(2) and (3) shall apply, except that each reference there-
in to ‘December 1981’ or ‘January 1982’ shall be consid-
ered a reference to ‘December 1991’ or ‘January 1992’,
respectively.’’
Amendment by section 2206(a), (b)(5)–(7) of Pub. L.
97–35 applicable only with respect to initial calcula-
tions and adjustments of primary insurance amounts
and benefit amounts which are attributable to periods
after August 1981, see section 2206(c) of Pub. L. 97–35,
set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 96–265, title I, § 102(c), June 9, 1980, 94 Stat.
443, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and section 423 of this title]
shall apply only with respect to monthly benefits pay-
able on the basis of the wages and self-employment in-
come of an individual who first becomes entitled to dis-
ability insurance benefits on or after July 1, 1980; ex-
cept that the third sentence of section 215(b)(2)(A) of
the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(b)(2)(A)] (as
added by such amendments) shall apply only with re-
spect to monthly benefits payable for months begin-
ning on or after July 1, 1981.’’
For effective date of amendment by section 101(b)(3),
(4) of Pub. L. 96–265, see section 101(c) of Pub. L. 96–265,
set out as a note under section 403 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1977 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 103(d) of Pub. L. 95–216 appli-
cable with respect to remuneration paid or received,
and taxable years beginning after 1977, see section 104
of Pub. L. 95–216, set out as a note under section 1401 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendment by section 201 of Pub. L. 95–216 effective
only with respect to monthly benefits under this sub-
chapter payable for months after December 1978 and
with respect to lump-sum death payments with respect
to deaths occurring after December 1978, except that
amendment by section 201(d) of Pub. L. 95–216 effective
with respect to monthly benefits of an individual who
becomes eligible for an old-age or disability insurance
benefit, or dies after December 1977, see section 206 of
Pub. L. 95–216, set out as a note under section 402 of
this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1973 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 93–233, § 1(h)(2), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 948, pro-
vided that: ‘‘The amendment made by paragraph (1)
[amending this section] shall be effective with respect
to benefits payable for months after February 1974.’’
Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(c), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 952, pro-
vided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsections (a)
and (b) [amending this section and sections 427 and 428
of this title and repealing section 202(a)(4) of Pub. L.
92–336, title II, July 1, 1972, 86 Stat. 416] shall apply with
respect to monthly benefits under title II of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for months after
May 1974, and with respect to lump-sum death pay-
ments under section 202(i) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(i)]
in the case of deaths occurring after such month.’’
Amendment by section 5(a)(4) of Pub. L. 93–233 appli-
cable with respect to calendar years after 1973, see sec-
tion 5(e) of Pub. L. 93–233, set out as a note under sec-
tion 409 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 93–66 applicable with respect
to calendar years after 1973, see section 203(e) of Pub. L.
93–66, set out as a note under section 409 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1972 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 92–603, title I, § 101(g), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat.
1335, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this
section [amending this section and section 403 of this
title] shall apply with respect to monthly insurance
benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for months after December 1972
(without regard to when the insured individual became
entitled to such benefits or when he died) and with re-
spect to lump-sum death payments under such title in
the case of deaths occurring after such month.’’
Amendment by section 104(b) of Pub. L. 92–603 appli-
cable only in the case of a man who attains (or would
attain) age 62 after Dec. 1974, with provision for the de-
termination of the number of elapsed years for pur-
poses of subsec. (b)(3) of this section in the case of a
man who attains age 62 prior to 1975, see section 104(j)
of Pub. L. 92–603, set out as a note under section 414 of
this title.
Amendment by section 144(a)(1) of Pub. L. 92–603 ef-
fective in like manner as if such amendment had been
included in title II of Pub. L. 92–336, see section 144(b)
of Pub. L. 92–603, set out as a note under section 403 of
this title.
Pub. L. 92–336, title II, § 201(i), July 1, 1972, 86 Stat.
412, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and section 403 of this title]
(other than the amendments made by subsections (g)
and (h)) shall apply with respect to monthly benefits
under title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401
et seq.] for months after August 1972 and with respect
to lump-sum death payments under such title in the
case of deaths occurring after such month. The amend-
ments made by subsection (g) [amending sections 427
and 428 of this title] shall apply with respect to month-
ly benefits under title II of such Act for months after
August 1972. The amendments made by subsection (h)(1)
[amending section 403 of this title] shall apply with re-
spect to monthly benefits under title II of such Act for
months after December 1971.’’
Pub. L. 92–336, title II, § 202(a)(3), July 1, 1972, 86 Stat.
416, as amended by Pub. L. 93–233, § 2(d), Dec. 31, 1973, 87
Stat. 952, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective June 1, 1974.
Amendment by section 203(a)(4) of Pub. L. 92–336 ap-
plicable only with respect to calendar years after 1972,
see section 203(c) of Pub. L. 92–336, set out as a note
under section 409 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1971 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 92–5, title II, § 201(e), Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 9,
provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section
[amending this section and section 403 of this title]
shall apply with respect to monthly benefits under title
II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for
months after December 1970 and with respect to lump-
sum death payments under such title in the case of
deaths occurring in and after the month in which this
Act is enacted [March 1971].’’
Amendment by section 203(a)(4) of Pub. L. 92–5 appli-
cable only with respect to calendar years after 1971, see
section 203(c) of Pub. L. 92–5, set out as a note under
section 409 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1969 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 91–172, title X, § 1002(e), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat.
740, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section and section 403 of this title]
shall apply with respect to monthly benefits under title
II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for
months after December 1969 and with respect to lump-
sum death payments under such title in the case of
deaths occurring after December 1969.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 101(e), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 827,
provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section
[amending this section and section 403 of this title]
shall apply with respect to monthly benefits under title
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for
months after January 1968 and with respect to lump-
sum death payments under such title in the case of
deaths occurring after January 1968.’’
Amendment by section 108(a)(4) of Pub. L. 90–248 ap-
plicable only with respect to calendar years after 1967,
see section 108(c) of Pub. L. 90–248, set out as a note
under section 409 of this title.
Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 155(a)(7), (9), Jan. 2, 1968, 81
Stat. 865, provided that:
‘‘(7)(A) The amendments made by paragraphs (4) and
(5) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to
recomputations made under section 215(f)(2) of the So-
cial Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(2)] after the date of
the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 1968].
‘‘(B) The amendments made by paragraph (6) [amend-
ing this section] shall apply with respect to individuals
who die after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 2,
1968].
‘‘(9) The amendment made by paragraphs (1) and (2)
[amending this section] shall not apply with respect to
monthly benefits for any month prior to January 1967.’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1965 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 89–97, title III, § 301(d), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat.
364, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by sub-
sections (a), (b), and (c) of this section [amending this
section and section 403 of this title] shall apply with re-
spect to monthly benefits under title II of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for months after De-
cember 1964 and with respect to lump-sum death pay-
ments under such title in the case of deaths occurring
in or after the month in which this Act is enacted [July
1965].’’
Pub. L. 89–97, title III, § 302(d)(2), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat.
365, provided that the amendment made by that section
is effective Jan. 2, 1966.
Pub. L. 89–97, title III, § 302(f)(1)–(5), July 30, 1965, 79
Stat. 366, provided as follows:
‘‘(1) The amendments made by subsection (c) [amend-
ing this section] shall apply only to individuals who be-
come entitled to old-age insurance benefits under sec-
tion 202(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)]
after 1965.
‘‘(2) Any individual who would, upon filing an appli-
cation prior to January 2, 1966, be entitled to a re-
computation of his monthly benefit amount for pur-
poses of title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401
et seq.] shall be deemed to have filed such application
on the earliest date on which such application could
have been filed, or on the day on which this Act is en-
acted [July 30, 1965], whichever is the later.
‘‘(3) In the case of an individual who died after 1960
and prior to 1966 and who was entitled to old-age insur-
ance benefits under section 202(a) of the Social Secu-
rity Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)] at the time of his death, the
provisions of sections 215(f)(3)(B) and 215(f)(4) of such
Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(3)(B), (4)] as in effect before the en-
actment of this Act [July 30, 1965] shall apply.
‘‘(4) In the case of a man who attains age 65 prior to
1966, or dies before such year, the provisions of section
215(f)(7) of the Social Security Act as in effect before
the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1965] shall apply.
‘‘(5) The amendments made by subsection (e) of this
section [amending section 423 of this title] shall apply
in the case of individuals who become entitled to dis-
ability insurance benefits under section 223 of the So-
cial Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423] after December 1965.’’
Pub. L. 89–97, title III, § 303(f)(2), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat.
368, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by sub-
section (e) [amending this section] shall apply in the
case of the primary insurance amounts of individuals
who attain age 65 after the date of enactment of this
Act [July 30, 1965].’’
Amendment by section 304(k) of Pub. L. 89–97 applica-
ble with respect to monthly insurance benefits under
this subchapter for and after the second month fol-
lowing July 1965 but only on the basis of applications
filed in or after July 1965, see section 304(o) of Pub. L.
89–97, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
Amendment by section 320(a)(4) of Pub. L. 89–97 appli-
cable with respect to calendar years after 1965, see sec-
tion 320(c) of Pub. L. 89–97, set out as a note under sec-
tion 3121 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1961 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 87–64, title I, § 101(b), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat.
131, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by sub-
section (a) [amending this section] shall apply only in
the case of monthly insurance benefits under title II of
the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for
months beginning on or after the effective date of this
title [see note set out under section 402 of this title],
and in the case of lump-sum death payments under
such title with respect to deaths on or after such effec-
tive date.’’
Amendment by section 102(d)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 87–64
applicable with respect to monthly benefits for months
beginning on or after Aug. 1, 1961, based on applications
filed in or after March 1961, and with respect to lump-
sum death payments under this subchapter in the case
of deaths on or after Aug. 1, 1961, and amendment by
section 102(d)(3) of Pub. L. 87–64 effective Aug. 1, 1961,
see sections 102(f)(6), (7) and 109 of Pub. L. 87–64, set out
as notes under section 402 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1960 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 103(j)(2)(C) of Pub. L. 86–778 ef-
fective on Sept. 13, 1960, see section 103(v)(1) of Pub. L.
86–778, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
Amendment by section 211(n) of Pub. L. 86–778 effec-
tive in the manner provided in section 211(p) and (q) of
Pub. L. 86–778, see section 211(s) of Pub. L. 86–778, set
out as a note under section 403 of this title.
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(d)(1), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 962, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective with respect to individuals who be-
come entitled to benefits under section 402(a) of this
title after 1960.
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(d)(2), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 962, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective with respect to individuals who
meet any of the subparagraphs of paragraph (4) of sub-
sec. (b) of this section, as amended by Pub. L. 86–778.
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(e)(1), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 962, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective with respect to applications for re-
computation under subsec. (f)(2) of this section filed
after 1960.
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(e)(4)(B), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 964, provided that the amendment made by that
section is effective in the case of deaths occurring on or
after Sept. 13, 1960.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1958 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 85–840, title I, § 101(g), Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat.
1018, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this
section [amending this section and sections 402 and 403
of this title] shall be applicable in the case of monthly
benefits under title II of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 401 et seq.], for months after December 1958, and
in the case of the lump-sum death payments under such
title, with respect to deaths occurring after such
month.’’
Amendment by section 205(m) of Pub. L. 85–840 appli-
cable with respect to monthly benefits under this sub-
chapter for August 1958 and succeeding months, see sec-
tion 207(a) of Pub. L. 85–840, set out as a note under sec-
tion 416 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1956 AMENDMENT
Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, § 109(b), 70 Stat. 830,
provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by subsection (a)
[amending this section] shall apply in the case of
monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Secu-
rity Act [42 U.S.C. 402], and the lump-sum death pay-
ment under such section, based on the wages and self-
employment income of an individual—
‘‘(1) who becomes entitled to benefits under sub-
section (a) of such section on the basis of an applica-
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
tion filed on or after the date of enactment of this
Act [Aug. 1, 1956]; or
‘‘(2) who is (but for the provisions of subsection
(f)(6) of section 215 of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(f)(6)]) entitled to a recomputation of his
primary insurance amount under subsection (f)(2)(A)
of such section 215 based on an application filed on or
after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 1, 1956];
or
‘‘(3) who dies without becoming entitled to benefits
under subsection (a) of such section 202 [42 U.S.C.
402(a)] and no individual was entitled to survivor’s
benefits and no lump-sum death payment was payable
under such section 202 on the basis of an application
filed prior to such date of enactment [Aug. 1, 1956]; or
‘‘(4) who dies on or after such date of enactment
[Aug. 1, 1956] and whose survivors are (but for the pro-
visions of subsection (f)(6) of such section 215 [42
U.S.C. 415(f)(6)]) entitled to a recomputation of his
primary insurance amount under subsection (f)(4)(A)
of such section 215; or
‘‘(5) who dies prior to such date of enactment [Aug.
1, 1956] and (A) whose survivors are (but for the provi-
sions of subsection (f)(6) of such section 215 [42 U.S.C.
415(f)(6)]) entitled to a recomputation of his primary
insurance amount under subsection (f)(4)(A) of such
section 215, and (B) on the basis of whose wages and
self-employment income no individual was entitled to
survivor’s benefits under such section 202 [42 U.S.C.
402], and no lump-sum death payment was payable
under such section, on the basis of an application
filed prior to such date of enactment and no indi-
vidual was entitled to such a benefit, without the fil-
ing of an application for the month in which this Act
is enacted [August 1956] or any month prior thereto.’’
Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, § 115(d), 70 Stat. 833,
provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section
[amending this section] shall apply in the case of an in-
dividual (1) who becomes entitled (without the applica-
tion of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 402(j)(1)]) to benefits under section 202(a) of such
Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)] after the date of enactment of this
Act [Aug. 1, 1956], or (2) who dies without becoming en-
titled to benefits under such section 202(a) and on the
basis of whose wages and self-employment income an
application for benefits or a lump-sum death payment
under section 202 of such Act is filed after the date of
enactment of this Act, or (3) who becomes entitled to
benefits under section 223 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 423], or
(4) who files, after the date of enactment of this Act, an
application for a disability determination which is ac-
cepted as an application for purposes of section 216(i) of
such Act [42 U.S.C. 416(i)].’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1954 AMENDMENT
Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, § 102(f), 68 Stat. 1070,
as amended by Pub. L. 86–778, title II, § 303(k), Sept. 13,
1960, 74 Stat. 966; Pub. L. 89–97, title III § 302(f)(7), July
30, 1965, 79 Stat. 366, provided that:
‘‘(1) The amendments made by the preceding sub-
sections [amending this section and section 403 of this
title], other than subsection (b) and paragraphs (1), (2),
(3), and (4) of subsection (e), shall (subject to the provi-
sions of paragraph (2) and notwithstanding the provi-
sions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(f)(1)]) apply in the case of lump-sum death
payments under section 202 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402]
with respect to deaths occurring after, and in the case
of monthly benefits under such section for months
after, August 1954.
‘‘(2)(A) The amendment made by subsection (b)(2)
[amending this section] shall be applicable only in the
case of monthly benefits for months after August 1954,
and the lump-sum death payment in the case of death
after August 1954, based on the wages and self-employ-
ment income of an individual (i) who does not become
eligible for benefits under section 202(a) of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)] until after August 1954,
or (ii) who dies after August 1954, and without becom-
ing eligible for benefits under such section 202(a), or
(iii) who is or has been entitled to have his primary in-
surance amount recomputed under section 215(f)(2) of
the Social Security Act, as amended by subsection
(e)(2) of this section, or under subsection (e)(5)(B) of
this section [set out as a note under this section], or
(iv) with respect to whom not less than six of the quar-
ters elapsing after June 1953 are quarters of coverage
(as defined in such Act), or (v) who files an application
for a disability determination which is accepted as an
application for purposes of section 216(i) of such Act [42
U.S.C. 416(i)], or (vi) who dies after August 1954, and
whose survivors are (or would, but for the provisions of
section 215(f)(6) of such Act, be) entitled to a recompu-
tation of his primary insurance amount under section
215(f)(4)(A) of such Act, as amended by this Act. For
purposes of the preceding sentence an individual shall
be deemed eligible for benefits under section 202(a) of
the Social Security Act for any month if he was, or
would upon filing application therefor in such month
have been, entitled to such benefits for such month.
‘‘(B) [Repealed. Pub. L. 89–97, title III, § 302(f)(7), July
30, 1965, 79 Stat. 366, eff. Jan. 2, 1966.]
‘‘(3) The amendments made by subsections (b)(1),
(e)(1), and (e)(3)(B) [amending this section] shall be ap-
plicable only in the case of monthly benefits based on
the wages and self-employment income of an individual
who does not become entitled to old-age insurance ben-
efits under section 202(a) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 402(a)] until after August 1954, or who dies after
August 1954 without becoming entitled to such benefits,
or who files an application after August 1954 and is en-
titled to a recomputation under paragraph (2) or (4) of
section 215(f) of the Social Security Act, as amended by
this Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(2), (4)], or who is entitled to a
recomputation under paragraph (2)(B) of this sub-
section, or who is entitled to a recomputation under
paragraph (5) of subsection (e) [set out as a note under
this section].
‘‘(4) The amendments made by subsection (e)(2)
[amending this section] shall be applicable only in the
case of applications for recomputation filed after 1954.
The amendment to subsec. (f)(4) made by subsection
(e)(4) shall be applicable only in the case of deaths after
1954.
‘‘(5) The amendments made by subparagraph (A) of
subsection (e)(3) [amending this section] shall be appli-
cable only in the case of applications for recomputa-
tion filed, or deaths occurring, after August 1954.
‘‘(6) No increase in any benefit by reason of the
amendments made by this section (other than sub-
section (e)) or by reason of subparagraph (B) of para-
graph (2) of this subsection shall be regarded as a re-
computation for purposes of section 215(f) of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)].’’
Amendment by section 106(c) of act Sept. 1, 1954, ap-
plicable with respect to monthly benefits under this
subchapter for months after June 1955, and with respect
to lump-sum death payments under such subchapter in
the case of deaths occurring after June 1955; but that
no recomputation of benefits by reason of such amend-
ments should be regarded as a recomputation for pur-
poses of subsec. (f) of this section, see section 106(h) of
act Sept. 1, 1954, set out as a note under section 413 of
this title.
EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATE OF 1952
AMENDMENT
For effective and termination dates of amendment by
act July 18, 1952, see section 3(f), (g) of act July 18, 1952,
set out as a note under section 413 of this title.
Act July 18, 1952, ch. 945, § 2(c)(1), (3), 66 Stat. 768, 769,
provided that:
‘‘(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) [amend-
ing this section] shall, subject to the provisions of
paragraph (2) of this subsection and notwithstanding
the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(1)], apply in the case of lump-sum
death payments under section 202 of such Act [42 U.S.C.
402] with respect to deaths occurring after, and in the
case of monthly benefits under such section for any
month after, August 1952.
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
‘‘(3) The amendments made by subsection (b) [amend-
ing this section and section 403 of this title] shall (not-
withstanding the provisions of section 215(f)(1) of the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(1)]) apply in the
case of lump-sum death payments under section 202 of
such Act [42 U.S.C. 402] with respect to deaths occur-
ring after August 1952, and in the case of monthly bene-
fits under such section for months after August 1952.’’
SAVINGS PROVISION
1960—Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(i), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 965, provided that in the case of an application for
recomputation under subsec. (f)(2) of this section, the
provisions of subsec. (f)(2) as in effect prior to Sept. 13,
1960, were to apply where the application was filed after
1954 and before 1961, and that in the case of an indi-
vidual who died after 1954 and before 1961 and who was
entitled to an old-age insurance benefit under section
402(a) of this title, the provisions of subsec. (f)(4) as in
effect prior to Sept. 13, 1960 were to apply.
1958—Pub. L. 85–840, title I, § 101(i), Aug. 28, 1958, 72
Stat. 1018, provided that: ‘‘In the case of any individual
to whom the provisions of subsection (b)(5) of section
215 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(b)(5)], as
amended by this Act, are applicable and on the basis of
whose wages and self-employment income benefits are
payable for months prior to January 1959, his primary
insurance amount for purposes of benefits for such
prior months shall, if based on an application for such
benefits or for a recomputation of such amount, as the
case may be, filed after December 1958, be determined
under such section 215 [42 U.S.C. 415], as in effect prior
to the enactment of this Act [Aug. 28, 1958], and, if such
individual’s primary insurance amount as so deter-
mined is larger than the primary insurance amount de-
termined for him under section 215 as amended by this
Act, such larger primary insurance amount (increased
to the next higher dollar if it is not a multiple of a dol-
lar) shall, for months after December 1958, be his pri-
mary insurance amount for purposes of such section 215
(and of the other provisions) of the Social Security Act
as amended by this Act in lieu of the amount deter-
mined without regard to this subsection.’’
1952—Act July 18, 1952, ch. 945, § 2(d), 66 Stat. 769, pro-
vided that:
‘‘(1) Where—
‘‘(A) an individual was entitled (without the appli-
cation of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act
[42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1)]) to an old-age insurance benefit
under title II of such Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for Au-
gust 1952;
‘‘(B) two or more other persons were entitled (with-
out the application of such section 202(j)(1) [42 U.S.C.
402(j)(1)]) to monthly benefits under such title for
such month on the basis of the wages and self-em-
ployment income of such individual; and
‘‘(C) the total of the benefits to which all persons
are entitled under such title [this subchapter] on the
basis of such individual’s wages and self-employment
income for any subsequent month for which he is en-
titled to an old-age insurance benefit under such
title, would (but for the provisions of this paragraph)
be reduced by reason of the application of section
203(a) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this
Act [42 U.S.C. 403(a)],
then the total of benefits, referred to in clause (C), for
such subsequent month shall be reduced to whichever
of the following is the larger:
‘‘(D) the amount determined pursuant to section
203(a) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this
Act [42 U.S.C. 403(a)]; or
‘‘(E) the amount determined pursuant to such sec-
tion, as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act
[July 18, 1952], for August 1952 plus the excess of (i)
the amount of his old-age insurance benefit for Au-
gust 1952 computed as if the amendments made by the
preceding subsections of this section had been appli-
cable in the case of such benefit for August 1952, over
(ii) the amount of his old-age insurance benefit for
August 1952.
‘‘(2) No increase in any benefit by reason of the
amendments made by this section or by reason of para-
graph (2) of subsection (c) of this section shall be re-
garded as a recomputation for purposes of section 215(f)
of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)].’’
COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY ‘‘NOTCH’’ ISSUE
Pub. L. 102–393, title VI, § 635, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat.
1777, as amended by Pub. L. 103–123, title VI, § 627, Oct.
28, 1993, 107 Stat. 1266, established a Commission on the
Social Security ‘‘Notch’’ Issue, provided for its com-
position, directed Commission to conduct a comprehen-
sive study of what had become known as the ‘‘notch’’
issue and transmit to Congress, not later than Dec. 31,
1994, a report with a detailed statement of its findings
and conclusions, together with any recommendations,
and provided the Commission terminate 30 days after
transmittal of report.
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES; COST-OF-LIVING
COMPUTATION QUARTER DETERMINATIONS
Pub. L. 98–604, § 1, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3161, provided:
‘‘That (a) in determining whether the base quarter
ending on September 30, 1984, is a cost-of-living com-
putation quarter for the purposes of the cost-of-living
increases under sections 215(i) and 1617 of the Social Se-
curity Act [42 U.S.C. 415(i), 1382f], the phrase ‘is 3 per-
cent or more’ appearing in section 215(i)(1)(B) of such
Act shall be deemed to read ‘is greater than zero’ (and
the phrase ‘exceeds, by not less than 3 per centum, such
Index’ appearing in section 215(i)(1)(B) of such Act as in
effect in December 1978 shall be deemed to read ‘ex-
ceeds such Index’).
‘‘(b) For purposes of section 215(i) of such Act, the
provisions of subsection (a) shall not constitute a ‘gen-
eral benefit increase’.’’
‘‘BASE QUARTER’’ IN CALENDAR YEAR 1983
Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 111(d), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 72,
provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary in section 215(i) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(i)], the ‘base quarter’ (as defined in para-
graph (1)(A)(i) of such section) in the calendar year 1983
shall be a ‘cost-of-living computation quarter’ within
the meaning of paragraph (1)(B) of such section (and
shall be deemed to have been determined by the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services to be a ‘cost-of-
living computation quarter’ under paragraph (2)(A) of
such section) for all of the purposes of such Act [42
U.S.C. 301 et seq.] as amended by this section and by
other provisions of this Act, without regard to the ex-
tent by which the Consumer Price Index has increased
since the last prior cost-of-living computation quarter
which was established under such paragraph (1)(B).’’
COMBINED BALANCE
IN TRUST FUNDS USED
IN DETER-
MINING OASDI FUND RATIO WITH RESPECT
TO CAL-
ENDAR YEAR 1984
Pub. L. 98–21, title I, § 112(f), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 76,
as amended by Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VI, § 2662(b),
July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1159, provided that: ‘‘Notwith-
standing anything to the contrary in section 215(i)(1)(F)
of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(F)] (as
added by subsection (a)(4) of this section), the com-
bined balance in the Trust Funds which is to be used in
determining the ‘OASDI fund ratio’ with respect to the
calendar year 1984 under such section shall be the esti-
mated combined balance in such Funds as of the close
of that year (rather than as of its beginning), including
the taxes transferred under section 201(a) of such Act
[42 U.S.C. 401(a)] on the first day of the year following
that year.’’
RECALCULATION OF PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNTS
APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES
Pub. L. 97–35, title XXII, § 2201(e), Aug. 13, 1981, 95
Stat. 832, which provided for recalculation of primary
insurance amounts for certain beneficiaries, was re-
pealed by Pub. L. 97–123, § 2(i), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat.
1661.
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE IN BENEFITS
Pub. L. 93–233, § 3(i), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 952, pro-
vided that: ‘‘For purposes of section 203(f)(8) [42 U.S.C.
403(f)(8)], so much of section 215(i)(1)(B) [42 U.S.C.
415(i)(1)(B)] as follows the semicolon, and section 230(a)
of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 430(a)], the in-
crease in benefits provided by section 2 of this Act
[amending this section and sections 427 and 428 of this
title] shall be considered an increase under section
215(i) of the Social Security Act.’’
INCREASE OF OLD-AGE OR DISABILITY INSURANCE BENE-
FITS
FOLLOWING
INCREASE
IN
PRIMARY
INSURANCE
AMOUNT OR ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS ON A HIGHER
AMOUNT
Pub. L. 92–603, title I, § 101(f), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat.
1334, provided that: ‘‘Whenever an insured individual is
entitled to benefits for a month which are based on a
primary insurance amount under paragraph (1) or para-
graph (3) of section 215(a) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(a)(1), (3)] and for the following month such
primary insurance amount is increased or such indi-
vidual becomes entitled to benefits on a higher primary
insurance amount under a different paragraph of such
section 215(a), such individual’s old-age or disability in-
surance benefit (beginning with the effective month of
the increased primary insurance amount) shall be in-
creased by an amount equal to the difference between
the higher primary insurance amount and the primary
insurance amount on which such benefit was based for
the month prior to such effective month, after the ap-
plication of section 202(q) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(q)]
where applicable, to such difference.’’
TABLE MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION; EFFECTIVE DATE;
PUBLICATION IN FEDERAL REGISTER
Pub. L. 93–66, title II, § 203(f), July 9, 1973, 87 Stat. 153,
provided that effective June 1, 1974, the Secretary of
Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and
Human Services] would prescribe and publish in the
Federal Register all necessary modifications and exten-
sions in the table formerly contained in subsec. (a) of
this section.
CONVERSION OF DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS TO
OLD-AGE INSURANCE BENEFITS
Pub. L. 92–5, title II, § 201(f), Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 9,
provided that: ‘‘If an individual was entitled to a dis-
ability insurance benefit under section 223 of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423] for December 1970 on the
basis of an application filed in or after the month in
which this Act is enacted [March 1971], and became en-
titled to old-age insurance benefits under section 202(a)
of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)] for January 1971, then, for
purposes of section 215(a)(4) of the Social Security Act
[42 U.S.C. 415(a)(4)] (if applicable), the amount in col-
umn IV of the table appearing in such section 215(c)
[probably means section 215(a) which is subsec. (a) of
this section] for such individual shall be the amount in
such column on the line on which in column II appears
his primary insurance amount (as determined under
section 215(c) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(c)]) instead of
the amount in column IV equal to the primary insur-
ance amount on which his disability insurance benefit
is based.’’
Pub. L. 91–172, title X, § 1002(f), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat.
740, provided that: ‘‘If an individual was entitled to a
disability insurance benefit under section 223 of the So-
cial Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423] for December 1969 and
became entitled to old-age insurance benefits under
section 202(a) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)] for January
1970, or he died in such month, then, for purposes of sec-
tion 215(a)(4) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
415(a)(4)] (if applicable), the amount in column IV of
the table appearing in such section 215(a) for such indi-
vidual shall be the amount in such column on the line
on which in column II appears his primary insurance
amount (as determined under section 215(c) of such Act)
instead of the amount in column IV equal to the pri-
mary insurance amount on which his disability insur-
ance benefit is based.’’
Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 101(f), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 827,
provided that: ‘‘If an individual was entitled to a dis-
ability insurance benefit under section 223 of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423] for the month of January
1968 and became entitled to old-age insurance benefits
under section 202(a) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)] for the
month of February 1968, or who died in such month,
then, for purposes of section 215(a)(4) of the Social Se-
curity Act [42 U.S.C. 415(a)(4)] (if applicable) the
amount in column IV of the table appearing in such
section 215(a) for such individual shall be the amount in
such column on the line on which in column II appears
his primary insurance amount (as determined under
section 215(c) of such Act) instead of the amount in col-
umn IV equal to the primary insurance amount on
which his disability insurance benefit is based.’’
Pub. L. 89–97, title III, § 301(e), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat.
364, provided that: ‘‘If an individual is entitled to a dis-
ability insurance benefit under section 223 of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423] for December 1964 on the
basis of an application filed after enactment of this Act
[July 30, 1965] and is entitled to old-age insurance bene-
fits under section 202(a) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)]
for January 1965, then, for purposes of section 215(a)(4)
of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(a)(4)] (if appli-
cable) the amount in column IV of the table appearing
in such section 215(a) for such individual shall be the
amount in such column on the line on which in column
II appears his primary insurance amount (as deter-
mined under section 215(c) of such Act) instead of the
amount in column IV equal to his disability insurance
benefit.’’
Pub. L. 85–840, title I, § 101(h), Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat.
1018, provided that: ‘‘If an individual was entitled to a
disability insurance benefit under section 223 of the So-
cial Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423] for December 1958, and
became entitled to old-age insurance benefits under
section 202(a) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)], or died, in
January 1959, then, for purposes of paragraph (4) of sec-
tion 215(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
415(a)(4)], as amended by this Act, the amount in col-
umn IV of the table appearing in such section 215(a) for
such individual shall be the amount in such column on
the line on which in column II appears his primary in-
surance amount (as determined under subsection (c) of
such section 215) instead of the amount in column IV
equal to his disability insurance benefit.’’
COMPUTATION
OF
PRIMARY
INSURANCE
AMOUNT
FOR
PERSONS ENTITLED
TO BENEFITS AFTER JANUARY 2
AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 1968
Pub. L. 90–248, title I, § 155(a)(8), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat.
865, provided that: ‘‘In any case in which—
‘‘(A) any person became entitled to a monthly ben-
efit under section 202 or 223 of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 402, 423] after the date of enactment of
this Act [Jan. 2, 1968] and before February 1968, and
‘‘(B) the primary insurance amount on which the
amount of such benefit is based was determined by
applying section 215(d) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(d)] as amended by this Act,
such primary insurance amount shall, for purposes of
section 215(c) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
415(c)], as amended by this Act, be deemed to have been
computed on the basis of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 301 et seq.] in effect prior to the enactment of
this Act [Jan. 2, 1968].’’
COMPUTATION
OF
PRIMARY
INSURANCE
AMOUNT
FOR
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE FULLY INSURED AND
HAD ATTAINED RETIREMENT AGE PRIOR TO 1961
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(g)(1), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 964, as amended by Pub. L. 87–64, title I, § 103(d),
June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 138; Pub. L. 89–97, title III,
§ 302(f)(6), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 366; Pub. L. 90–248, title
I, § 155(c), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 866; Pub. L. 92–603, title
I, § 104(h), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1341, provided that: ‘‘In
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
the case of any individual who both was fully insured
and had attained retirement age prior to 1961 and (A)
who becomes entitled to old-age insurance benefits
after 1960, or (B) who dies after 1960 without being enti-
tled to such benefits, then, notwithstanding the amend-
ments made by the preceding subsections of this sec-
tion [amending this section and section 423 of this
title], or the amendments made by the Social Security
Amendments of 1965, 1967, 1969, and 1972 (and by Public
Law 92–5) [see Tables for classification of Pub. L. 89–97,
July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 286, Pub. L. 90–248, Jan. 2, 1968, 81
Stat. 821, Pub. L. 91–172, title X, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat.
737, Pub. L. 92–603, Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1329, Pub. L.
92–5, Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 5] the Secretary shall also
compute such individual’s primary insurance amount
on the basis of such individual’s average monthly wage
determined under the provisions of section 215 of the
Social Security Act [this section] in effect prior to the
enactment of this Act with a closing date determined
under section 215(b)(3)(B) of such Act as then in effect,
but only if such closing date would have been applica-
ble to such computation had this section not been en-
acted. If the primary insurance amount resulting from
the use of such an average monthly wage is higher than
the primary insurance amount resulting from the use
of an average monthly wage determined pursuant to
the provisions of section 215 of the Social Security Act,
as amended by the Social Security Amendments of 1960
[Pub. L. 86–778], or (if such individual becomes entitled
to old-age insurance benefits after the date of enact-
ment of the Social Security Amendments of 1972 [Oct.
30, 1972], or dies after such date without becoming so
entitled) as amended by the Social Security Amend-
ments of 1972 [Pub. L. 92–603], such higher primary in-
surance amount shall be the individual’s primary insur-
ance amount for purposes of such section 215. The
terms used in this subsection shall have the meaning
assigned to them by title II of the Social Security Act
[42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.]; except that the terms ‘fully in-
sured’ and ‘retirement age’ shall have the meaning as-
signed to them by such title II as in effect on Sep-
tember 13, 1960.’’
DISREGARDING
OF INCOME
OF OASDI RECIPIENTS
AND
RAILROAD RETIREMENT RECIPIENTS
IN DETERMINING
NEED FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Pub. L. 91–172, title X, § 1007, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 742,
as amended by Pub. L. 91–306, § 2(b)(1), July 6, 1970, 84
Stat. 408; Pub. L. 91–669, Jan. 11, 1971, 84 Stat. 2038; Pub.
L. 92–223, § 5, Dec. 28, 1971, 85 Stat. 810; Pub. L. 92–603,
title III, § 304, Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1484, eff. Oct. 30,
1972, provided a minimum aid requirement in addition
to the requirements imposed by law as conditions of ap-
proval of State plans for aid to individuals under sub-
chapters I, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter, in the case
of any individual found eligible for aid for any month
after Mar. 1970 and before Jan. 1974 who also received a
monthly insurance benefit under this subchapter, and
in the case of such an individual who also received a
monthly annuity or pension under the Railroad Retire-
ment Acts of 1935 or 1937, set out in sections 215 et seq.
and 228a et seq., respectively, of Title 45, Railroads.
DISREGARDING
OF
RETROACTIVE
PAYMENT
OF
OASDI
BENEFIT
INCREASE
AND
OF
RAILROAD
RETIREMENT
BENEFIT INCREASE
Pub. L. 92–5, title II, § 201(g), Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 9,
provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding the provisions of sec-
tions
2(a)(10),
402(a)(7),
1002(a)(8),
1402(a)(8),
and
1602(a)(13) and (14) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
302(a)(10), 602(a)(7), 1202(a)(8), 1352(a)(8), 1382(a)(13), (14)]
each State, in determining need for aid or assistance
under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or
XVI, or part A of title IV, of such Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et
seq., 1201 et seq., 1351 et seq., 1381 et seq., 601 et seq.],
may disregard (and the plan may be deemed to require
the State to disregard), in addition to any other
amounts which the State is required or permitted to
disregard in determining such need, any amount paid
to an individual under title II of such Act [42 U.S.C. 401
et seq.] (or under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937
[45 U.S.C. 228a et seq.] by reason of the first proviso in
section 3(e) thereof [45 U.S.C. 228c(e)]), in any month
after the month in which this Act is enacted [March
1971], to the extent that (1) such payment is attrib-
utable to the increase in monthly benefits under the
old-age, survivors, and disability insurance system for
January, February, March, or April 1971 resulting from
the enactment of this title, and (2) the amount of such
increase is paid separately from the rest of the monthly
benefit of such individual for January, February,
March, or April 1971.’’
Pub. L. 91–172, title X, § 1006, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 741,
as amended by Pub. L. 91–306, § 2(a)(1), July 6, 1970, 84
Stat. 407, provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding the provi-
sions of sections 2(a)(10), 402(a)(7), 1002(a)(8), 1402(a)(8),
and 1602(a)(13) and (14) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C.
302(a)(10),
602(a)(7),
1202(a)(8),
1352(a)(8),
1382(a)(13), (14)], each State, in determining need for aid
or assistance under a State plan approved under title I,
X, XIV, or XVI [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq., 1201 et seq., 1351
et seq., 1381 et seq.], or part A of title IV, of such Act
[42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.], shall disregard (and the plan
shall be deemed to require the State to disregard), in
addition to any other amounts which the State is re-
quired or permitted to disregard in determining such
need, any amount paid to any individual (1) under title
II of such Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] (or under the Rail-
road Retirement Act of 1937 [45 U.S.C. 228a et seq.] by
reason of the first proviso in section 3(e) thereof [45
U.S.C. 228c(e)]), in any month after December 1969, to
the extent that (a) such payment is attributable to the
increase in monthly benefits under the old-age, sur-
vivors, and disability insurance system for January or
February 1970 resulting from the enactment of this
title, and (b) the amount of such increase is paid sepa-
rately from the rest of the monthly benefit of such in-
dividual for January or February 1970; or (2) as annuity
or pension under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 or
the Railroad Retirement Act of 1935, if such amount is
paid in a lump-sum to carry out any retroactive in-
crease in annuities or pensions payable under the Rail-
road Retirement Act of 1937 or the Railroad Retirement
Act of 1935 [45 U.S.C. 215 et seq.] brought about by rea-
son of the enactment (after May 30, 1970 and prior to
December 31, 1970) of any Act which increases, retro-
actively, the amount of such annuities or pensions.’’
DISREGARDING OASDI BENEFIT INCREASES AND CHILD’S
INSURANCE
BENEFIT
PAYMENTS
BEYOND
AGE
18 TO
THE EXTENT ATTRIBUTABLE
TO RETROACTIVE EFFEC-
TIVE DATE OF 1965 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 89–97, title IV, § 406, July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 421,
authorized a State to disregard, in determining the
need for aid or assistance under State plans approved
under subchapter I, IV, X, XIV, or XVI of this chapter,
any amount paid to an individual under subchapter II
of this chapter or the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937,
section 228a et seq. of Title 45, Railroads, by reason of
the amendments made by Pub. L. 89–97, title III,
§ 326(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 400, to sections 228a(q) and
228e(1)(9) of Title 45, for months occurring after Decem-
ber 1964 and before the third month following July 1965,
in certain instances.
COMPUTATION
OF AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGE
FOR CER-
TAIN
INDIVIDUALS
ENTITLED
TO
DISABILITY
INSUR-
ANCE BENEFITS PRIOR TO 1961
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(g)(2), Sept. 13, 1960, 74
Stat. 964, provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding the amend-
ments made by the preceding subsections of this sec-
tion [amending this section and section 423 of this
title], in the case of any individual who was entitled
(without regard to the provisions of section 223(b) of
the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 423(b)]) to a dis-
ability insurance benefit under such section 223 for the
month before the month in which he became entitled to
an old-age insurance benefit under section 202(a) of
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§ 415
such Act [42 U.S.C. 402(a)], or in which he died, and such
disability insurance benefit was based upon a primary
insurance amount determined under the provisions of
section 215 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415] in
effect prior to the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall, in applying the provisions of such section 215(a)
(except paragraph (4) thereof), for purposes of deter-
mining benefits payable under section 202 of such Act
on the basis of such individual’s wages and self-employ-
ment income, determine such individual’s average
monthly wage under the provisions of section 215 of the
Social Security Act in effect prior to the enactment of
this Act [Sept. 13, 1960]. The provisions of this para-
graph shall not apply with respect to any such indi-
vidual, entitled to such old-age insurance benefits, (i)
who applies, after 1960, for a recomputation (to which
he is entitled) of his primary insurance amount under
section 215(f)(2) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(2)], or (ii)
who dies after 1960 and meets the conditions for a re-
computation of his primary insurance amount under
section 215(f)(4) of such Act.’’
AVERAGE
MONTHLY
WAGE
FOR
CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS
ENTITLED TO MONTHLY BENEFITS OR TO RECOMPUTA-
TION
OF PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNT
FOR MONTHS
PRIOR TO JANUARY 1961
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(j), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat.
966, provided that: ‘‘In the case of an individual whose
average monthly wage is computed under the provi-
sions of section 215(b) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(b)], as amended by this Act, and—
‘‘(1) who is entitled, by reason of the provisions of
section 202(j)(1) or section 223(b) of the Social Secu-
rity Act [42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1), 423(b)], to a monthly ben-
efit for any month prior to January 1961, or
‘‘(2) who is (or would, but for the fact that such re-
computation would not result in a higher primary in-
surance amount for such individual, be) entitled, by
reason of section 215(f) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 415(f)], to have his primary insurance amount
recomputed effective for a month prior to January
1961,
his average monthly wage as determined under the pro-
visions of such section 215(b) [42 U.S.C. 415(b)] shall be
his average monthly wage for the purposes of deter-
mining his primary insurance amount for such prior
month.’’
LAG RECOMPUTATION PRESERVED FOR CERTAIN INDIVID-
UALS ELIGIBLE OR DEAD PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1954
Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, § 102(e)(8), 68 Stat.
1070, as amended by Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 304(c),
Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 966, provided that: ‘‘In the case
of an individual who became (without the application
of section 202(j)(1) [42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1)]) entitled to old-
age insurance benefits or died prior to September 1954,
the provisions of section 215(f)(3) [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(3)] as
in effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1,
1954] shall be applicable as though this Act had not
been enacted but only if such individual files the appli-
cation referred to in subparagraph (A) of such section
prior to January 1961 or (if he dies without filing such
application) his death occurred prior to January 1961.’’
RIGHT TO RECOMPUTATION UNDER LAW PRIOR TO
ENACTMENT OF ACT SEPTEMBER 1, 1954
Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, § 102(e)(5), 68 Stat.
1068, as amended by Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 304(b),
Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 966, provided that:
‘‘(A) In the case of any individual who, upon filing ap-
plication therefor before September 1954, would (but for
the provisions of section 215(f)(6) of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(6)]) have been entitled to a re-
computation under subparagraph (A) or (B) of section
215(f)(2) of such Act as in effect prior to the enactment
of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954], the Secretary shall recom-
pute such individual’s primary insurance amount, but
only if he files an application therefor or, in case he
died before filing such application, an application for
monthly benefits or a lump-sum death payment on the
basis of his wages and self-employment income is filed.
Such recomputation shall be made only as provided in
subsection (a)(2) of section 215 of the Social Security
Act, as amended by this Act, through the use of a pri-
mary insurance amount determined under subsection
(d)(6) of such section in the same manner as for an indi-
vidual to whom subsection (a)(1) of such section, as in
effect prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954],
is applicable; and such recomputation shall take into
account only such wages and self-employment income
as would be taken into account under section 215(b) of
the Social Security Act if the month in which the ap-
plication for recomputation is filed, or if the individual
died without filing the application for recomputation,
the month in which he died, were deemed to be the
month in which he became entitled to old-age insur-
ance benefits. In the case of monthly benefits, such re-
computation shall be effective for and after the month
in which such application for recomputation is filed or,
if the individual has died without filing the applica-
tion, for and after the month in which the person filing
the application for monthly survivor benefits becomes
entitled to such benefits.
‘‘(B) In the case of—
‘‘(i) any individual who is entitled to a recomputa-
tion under subparagraph (A) of section 215(f)(2) of the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(2)(A)] as in effect
prior to the enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] on
the basis of an application filed after August 1954, or
who died after such month leaving any survivors en-
titled to a recomputation under section 215(f)(4) of
the Social Security Act as in effect prior to the en-
actment of this Act on the basis of his wages and self-
employment income, and whose sixth quarter of cov-
erage after 1950 was acquired after August 1954 or
with respect to whom the twelfth month referred to
in such subparagraph (A) occurred after such month,
and
‘‘(ii) any individual who is entitled to a recomputa-
tion under section 215(f)(2)(B) of the Social Security
Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(2)(B)] as is in effect prior to the
enactment of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] on the basis of an
application filed after August 1954, or who died after
August 1954 leaving any survivors entitled to a re-
computation under section 215(f)(4) of the Social Se-
curity Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this
Act on the basis of his wages and self-employment in-
come, and whose sixth quarter of coverage after 1950
was acquired after August 1954 or who did not attain
the age of seventy-five prior to September 1954, the
recomputation of his primary insurance amount shall
be made in the manner provided in section 215 of the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415], as amended by
this Act, for computation of such amount, except
that his closing date, for purposes of subsection (b) of
such section 215, shall be determined as though he be-
came entitled to old-age insurance benefits in the
month in which he filed such application for or, if he
has died, in the month in which he died. In the case
of monthly benefits, such recomputation shall be ef-
fective for and after the month in which such applica-
tion for recomputation is filed or, if the individual
has died without filing the application, for and after
the month in which the person filing the application
for monthly survivors benefits becomes entitled to
such benefits.
‘‘(C) An individual or, in case of his death, his sur-
vivors entitled to a lump-sum death payment or to
monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social Secu-
rity Act on the basis of his wages and self-employment
income shall be entitled to a recomputation of his pri-
mary insurance amount under section 215(f)(2) or sec-
tion 215(f)(4) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
415(f)(2), (4)] as in effect prior to the date of enactment
of this Act [Sept. 1, 1954] only if (i) he had not less than
six quarters of coverage in the period after 1950 and
prior to January 1, 1955, and (ii) either the twelfth
month referred to in subparagraph (A) of such section
215(f)(2) occurred prior to January 1, 1955, or he at-
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 415
tained the age of 75 prior to 1955, and (iii) he meets the
other conditions of entitlement to such a recomputa-
tion. No individual shall be entitled to a computation
under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph if his
primary insurance amount has previously been recom-
puted under either of such subparagraphs.
‘‘(D) Notwithstanding the provisions of subpara-
graphs (A), (B), and (C), the primary insurance amount
of an individual shall not be recomputed under such
provisions unless such individual files the application
referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) prior to January
1961 or, if he dies without filing such application, his
death occurred prior to January 1961.’’
RECOMPUTATION
OF
PRIMARY
INSURANCE
AMOUNT
IN
CERTAIN CASES WHERE APPLICATION FOR RECOMPUTA-
TION IS FILED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 13, 1960
Pub. L. 86–778, title III, § 303(h), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat.
965, provided that: ‘‘In any case where application for
recomputation under section 215(f)(3) of the Social Se-
curity Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(3)] is filed on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960] with
respect to an individual for whom the last previous
computation of the primary insurance amount was
based on an application filed prior to 1961, or who died
before 1961, the provisions of section 215 of such Act [42
U.S.C. 415] as in effect prior to the enactment of this
Act shall apply except that—
‘‘(1) such recomputation shall be made as provided
in section 215(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
415(a)] (as in effect prior to the enactment of this
Act) and as though such individual first became enti-
tled to old-age insurance benefits in the month in
which he filed his application for such recomputation
or died without filing such an application, and his
closing date for such purposes shall be as specified in
such section 215(f)(3); and
‘‘(2) the provisions of section 215(b)(4) of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 415(b)(4)] (as in effect prior to
the enactment of this Act) shall apply only if they
were applicable to the last previous computation of
such individual’s primary insurance amount, or
would have been applicable to such computation if
there had been taken into account—
‘‘(A) his wages and self-employment income in
the year in which he became entitled to old-age in-
surance benefits or filed application for the last
previous recomputation of his primary insurance
amount, where he is living at the time of the appli-
cation for recomputation under this subsection, or
‘‘(B) his wages and self-employment income in
the year in which he died without becoming enti-
tled to old-age insurance benefits, or (if he was en-
titled to such benefits) the year in which applica-
tion was filed for the last previous computation of
his primary insurance amount or in which he died,
whichever first occurred, where he has died at the
time of the application for such recomputation.
If the primary insurance amount of an individual was
recomputed under section 215(f)(3) of the Social Secu-
rity Act [42 U.S.C. 415(f)(3)] as in effect prior to the en-
actment of this Act, and such amount would have been
larger if the recomputation had been made under such
section as modified by this subsection, then the Sec-
retary shall recompute such primary insurance amount
under such section as so modified, but only if an appli-
cation for such recomputation is filed on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 13, 1960]. A re-
computation under the preceding sentence shall be ef-
fective for and after the first month for which the last
previous recomputation of such individual’s primary
insurance amount under such section 215 [42 U.S.C. 415]
was effective, but in no event for any month prior to
the twenty-fourth month before the month in which
the application for a recomputation is filed under the
preceding sentence.’’
SPECIAL STARTING
AND CLOSING DATES
FOR CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS
FOR
COMPUTATION
OF
1957
BENEFIT
AMOUNTS
Act Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title I, § 110, 70 Stat. 830, pro-
vided that: ‘‘In the case of an individual who died or be-
came (without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1)]) entitled to old-
age insurance benefits in 1957 and with respect to whom
not less than six of the quarters elapsing after 1955 and
prior to the quarter following the quarter in which he
died or became entitled to old-age insurance benefits,
whichever first occurred, are quarters of coverage, his
primary insurance amount shall be computed under
section 215(a)(1)(A) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(A)],
with a starting date of December 31, 1955, and a closing
date of July 1, 1957, but only if it would result in a
higher primary insurance amount. For the purposes of
section 215(f)(3)(C) of such Act, the determination of an
individual’s closing date under the preceding sentence
shall be considered as a determination of the individ-
ual’s closing date under section 215(b)(3)(A) of such Act
and the recomputation provided for by such section
215(f)(3)(C) shall be made using July 1, 1957, as the clos-
ing date, but only if it would result in a higher primary
insurance amount. In any such computation on the
basis of a July 1, 1957, closing date, the total of his
wages and self-employment income after December 31,
1956, shall, if it is in excess of $2,100, be reduced to such
amount.’’
SPECIAL STARTING
AND CLOSING DATES
FOR CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS
FOR
COMPUTATION
OF
1966
BENEFIT
AMOUNTS
Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, § 102(e)(6), 68 Stat.
1069, provided that: ‘‘In the case of an individual who
died or became (without the application of section
202(j)(1) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1)])
entitled to old-age insurance benefits in 1956 and with
respect to whom not less than six of the quarters elaps-
ing after 1954 and prior to the quarter following the
quarter in which he died or became entitled to old-age
insurance benefits, whichever first occurred, are quar-
ters of coverage, his primary insurance amount shall be
computed under section 215(a)(1)(A) of such Act, as
amended by this Act [42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(A)], with a
starting date of December 31, 1954, and a closing date of
July 1, 1956, but only if it would result in a higher pri-
mary insurance amount. For the purposes of section
215(f)(3)(C) of such Act, the determination of an individ-
ual’s closing date under the preceding sentence shall be
considered as a determination of the individual’s clos-
ing date under section 215(b)(3)(A) of such Act, and the
recomputation provided for by such section 215(f)(3)(C)
shall be made using July 1, 1956, as the closing date, but
only if it would result in a higher primary insurance
amount. In any such computation on the basis of a July
1, 1956 closing date, the total of his wages and self-em-
ployment income after December 31, 1955, shall, if it is
in excess of $2,100, be reduced to such amount.’’
STUDY OF FEASIBILITY OF INCREASING BENEFITS
Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title IV, § 404, 68 Stat. 1099,
authorized the Secretary of Health, Education, and
Welfare [now Health and Human Services] to conduct a
feasibility study with a view toward increasing the
minimum old-age insurance benefit under this sub-
chapter to $55, $60, or $75 per month and required him
to report the results of his study to the Congress at the
earliest practicable date.
CHANGE OF WAGE CLOSING DATE OF CERTAIN INDIVID-
UALS DEAD OR ELIGIBLE IN 1952 TO THE FIRST WAY
OF THE QUARTER OF DEATH OR ENTITLEMENT
Act July 18, 1952, ch. 945, § 6(c), 66 Stat. 777, provided
that: ‘‘In the case of an individual who died or became
(without the application of section 202(j)(1) of the So-
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TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 416
cial Security Act [42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1)]) entitled to old-
age insurance benefits in 1952 and with respect to whom
not less than six of the quarters elapsing after 1950 and
prior to the quarter following the quarter in which he
died or became entitled to old-age insurance benefits,
whichever first occurred, are quarters of coverage, his
wage closing date shall be the first day of such quarter
of death or entitlement instead of the day specified in
section 215(b)(3) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(b)(3)], but
only if it would result in a higher primary insurance
amount for such individual. The terms used in this
paragraph shall have the same meaning as when used in
title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et
seq.].’’
COMPUTATION OF INCREASED BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS
ENTITLED THERETO FOR AUGUST 1952
Act July 18, 1952, ch. 945, § 6(e), 66 Stat. 777, provided
that: ‘‘In case the benefit of any individual for any
month after August 1952 is computed under section
2(c)(2)(A) of this Act [set out as a note under this sec-
tion] through use of a benefit (after the application of
sections 203 and 215(g) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 403, 415(g)] as in effect prior to the enactment of
this Act [July 18, 1952]) for August 1952 which could
have been derived from either of two (and not more
than two) primary insurance amounts, and such pri-
mary insurance amounts differ from each other by not
more than $0.10, then the benefit of such individual for
such month of August 1952 shall, for the purposes of the
last sentence of such section 2(c)(2)(A) [set out as a
note under this section], be deemed to have been de-
rived from the larger of such two primary insurance
amounts.’’
COMPUTATION
OF
INCREASED
BENEFITS
FOR
DEPEND-
ENTS AND SURVIVORS ON BENEFIT ROLLS FOR AUGUST
1952
Act July 18, 1952, ch. 945, § 2(c)(2), 66 Stat. 768, as
amended by act Sept. 1, 1954, § 102(g), eff. Sept. 1, 1954,
provided that:
‘‘(A) In the case of any individual who is (without the
application of section 202(j)(1) of the Social Security
Act) [42 U.S.C. 402(j)(1)] entitled to a monthly benefit
under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) of such
section 202 for August 1952, whose benefit for such
month is computed through use of a primary insurance
amount determined under paragraph (1) or (2) of section
215(c) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(c)], and who is entitled
to such benefit for any succeeding month on the basis
of the same wages and self-employment income, the
amendments made by this section shall not (subject to
the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph)
apply for purposes of computing the amount of such
benefit for such succeeding month. The amount of such
benefit for such succeeding month shall instead be
equal to the larger of (i) 1121⁄2 per centum of the
amount of such benefit (after the application of sec-
tions 203(a) and 215(g) of the Social Security Act [42
U.S.C. 403(a), 415(g)] as in effect prior to the enactment
of this Act [July 18, 1952]) for August 1952, increased, if
it is not a multiple of $0.10, to the next higher multiple
of $0.10, or (ii) the amount of such benefit (after the ap-
plication of sections 203(a) and 215(g) of the Social Se-
curity Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this
Act [July 18, 1952]) for August 1952, increased by an
amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying
$5 by the fraction applied to the primary insurance
amount which was used in determining such benefit,
and further increased, if such product is not a multiple
of $0.10, to the next higher multiple of $0.10. The provi-
sions of section 203(a) of the Social Security Act, as
amended by this section (and, for purposes of such sec-
tion 203(a), the provisions of section 215(c)(4) of the So-
cial Security Act, as amended by this section), shall
apply to such benefit as computed under the preceding
sentence of this subparagraph, and the resulting
amount, if not a multiple of $0.10, shall be increased to
the next higher multiple of $0.10.
‘‘(B) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall cease to
apply to the benefit of any individual under title II of
the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] for any
month after August 1954.’’
DETERMINATION OF PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNT OF
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED AFTER 1939 AND PRIOR TO 1951
Pub. L. 86–778, title II, § 204(b), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat.
948, provided that: ‘‘The primary insurance amount (for
purposes of title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
401 et seq.]) of any individual who died after 1939 and
prior to 1951 shall be determined as provided in section
215(a)(2) of such Act [42 U.S.C. 415(a)(2)].’’
BENEFITS IN CERTAIN CASES OF DEATHS BEFORE
SEPTEMBER 1950
Act Sept. 1, 1954, ch. 1206, title I, § 109, 68 Stat. 1084,
as amended by Pub. L. 86–778, title II, § 204(c), Sept. 13,
1960, 74 Stat. 948, provided that in the case of an indi-
vidual who died prior to Sept. 1, 1950, and was not a
fully insured individual when he died and who had at
least six quarters of coverage under this subchapter,
such individual was generally to be deemed to have
died fully insured, his primary insurance amount was
to be deemed to be computed under subsec. (a)(2) of this
section, the proof of support requirement in section
402(h) of this title was not to be applicable where such
proof was filed before Sept. 1956, and that the provi-
sions of this section were to apply to monthly benefits
under section 402 of this title for months after Aug. 1954
and in or prior to Sept. 1960.
COMPUTATION OF PRIMARY INSURANCE AMOUNT OF
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED PRIOR TO 1940
Pub. L. 86–778, title II, § 205(c), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat.
949, provided that: ‘‘The primary insurance amount (for
purposes of title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C.
401 et seq.]) of any individual who died prior to 1940,
and who had not less than six quarters of coverage (as
defined in section 213 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 413]), shall
be computed under section 215(a)(2) of such Act [42
U.S.C. 415(a)(2)].’’
[Section 205(c) of Pub. L. 86–778 as applicable only in
the case of monthly benefits under this subchapter for
months after September 1960, on the basis of applica-
tions filed in or after such month, see section 205(d) of
Pub. L. 86–778, set out as an Effective Date of 1960
Amendment note under section 402 of this title.]
Executive Documents
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
Functions of Public Health Service, Surgeon General
of Public Health Service, and all other officers and em-
ployees of Public Health Service, and functions of all
agencies of or in Public Health Service transferred to
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare by Reorg.
Plan No. 3 of 1966, 31 F.R. 8855, 80 Stat. 1610, effective
June 25, 1966, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Gov-
ernment Organization and Employees.
§ 416. Additional definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Spouse; surviving spouse
(1) The term ‘‘spouse’’ means a wife as defined
in subsection (b) or a husband as defined in sub-
section (f).
(2) The term ‘‘surviving spouse’’ means a
widow as defined in subsection (c) or a widower
as defined in subsection (g).
(b) Wife
The term ‘‘wife’’ means the wife of an indi-
vidual, but only if she (1) is the mother of his
son or daughter, (2) was married to him for a pe-
riod of not less than one year immediately pre-
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Wages** For purposes of this chapter, the term “wages” means all remuneration for employment, including the cash value of all remuneration (including benefits) paid in any medium other than cash; except that such term shall not include—
(1) in the case of the taxes imposed by sections 3101(a) and 3111(a) that part of the remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection) equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act) with respect to employment has been paid to an individual by an employer during the calendar year with respect to which such contribution and benefit base is effective, is paid to such individual by such employer during such calendar year. If an employer (hereinafter referred to as successor employer) during any calendar year acquires substantially all the property used in a trade or business of another employer (hereinafter referred to as a predecessor), or used in a separate unit of a trade or business of a predecessor, and immediately after the acquisition employs in his trade or business an individual who immediately prior to the acquisition was employed in the trade or business of such predecessor, then, for the purpose of determining whether the successor employer has paid remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection) with respect to employment equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act) to such individual during such calendar year, any remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection) with respect to employment paid (or considered under this paragraph as h
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 26 U.S.C. § 3121. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 3121. Definitions
(a) Wages
For purposes of this chapter, the term
‘‘wages’’ means all remuneration for employ-
ment, including the cash value of all remunera-
tion (including benefits) paid in any medium
other than cash; except that such term shall not
include—
(1) in the case of the taxes imposed by sec-
tions 3101(a) and 3111(a) that part of the remu-
neration which, after remuneration (other
than remuneration referred to in the suc-
ceeding paragraphs of this subsection) equal to
the contribution and benefit base (as deter-
mined under section 230 of the Social Security
Act) with respect to employment has been
paid to an individual by an employer during
the calendar year with respect to which such
contribution and benefit base is effective, is
paid to such individual by such employer dur-
ing such calendar year. If an employer (herein-
after referred to as successor employer) during
any calendar year acquires substantially all
the property used in a trade or business of an-
other employer (hereinafter referred to as a
predecessor), or used in a separate unit of a
trade or business of a predecessor, and imme-
diately after the acquisition employs in his
trade or business an individual who imme-
diately prior to the acquisition was employed
in the trade or business of such predecessor,
then, for the purpose of determining whether
the successor employer has paid remuneration
(other than remuneration referred to in the
succeeding paragraphs of this subsection) with
respect to employment equal to the contribu-
tion and benefit base (as determined under
section 230 of the Social Security Act) to such
individual during such calendar year, any re-
muneration (other than remuneration referred
to in the succeeding paragraphs of this sub-
section)
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 26 U.S.C. § 3121. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund** There is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the “Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund”. The Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund shall consist of the securities held by the Secretary of the Treasury for the Old-Age Reserve Account and the amount standing to the credit of the Old-Age Reserve Account on the books of the Treasury on January 1, 1940, which securities and amount the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to transfer to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, and, in addition, such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in subsection (i)(1), and such amounts as may be appropriated to, or deposited in, the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund as hereinafter provided. There is hereby appropriated to the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, and for each fiscal year thereafter, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts equivalent to 100 per centum of—
(1) the taxes (including interest, penalties, and additions to the taxes) received under subchapter A of chapter 9 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 (and covered into the Treasury) which are deposited into the Treasury by collectors of internal revenue before January 1, 1951; and
(2) the taxes certified each month by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue as taxes received under subchapter A of chapter 9 of such Code which are deposited into the Treasury by collectors of internal revenue after December 31, 1950, and before January 1, 1953, with respect to assessments of such taxes made before January 1, 1951; and
(3) the taxes imposed by
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 401. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 401. Trust Funds
(a) Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
Trust Fund
There is hereby created on the books of the
Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be
known as the ‘‘Federal Old-Age and Survivors
Insurance Trust Fund’’. The Federal Old-Age
and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund shall con-
sist of the securities held by the Secretary of
the Treasury for the Old-Age Reserve Account
and the amount standing to the credit of the
Old-Age Reserve Account on the books of the
Treasury on January 1, 1940, which securities
and amount the Secretary of the Treasury is au-
thorized and directed to transfer to the Federal
Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund,
and, in addition, such gifts and bequests as may
be made as provided in subsection (i)(1), and
such amounts as may be appropriated to, or de-
posited in, the Federal Old-Age and Survivors
Insurance Trust Fund as hereinafter provided.
There is hereby appropriated to the Federal Old-
Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1941, and for each fis-
cal year thereafter, out of any moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts
equivalent to 100 per centum of—
(1) the taxes (including interest, penalties,
and additions to the taxes) received under sub-
chapter A of chapter 9 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1939 (and covered into the Treasury)
which are deposited into the Treasury by col-
lectors of internal revenue before January 1,
1951; and
(2) the taxes certified each month by the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue as taxes re-
ceived under subchapter A of chapter 9 of such
Code which are deposited into the Treasury by
collectors of internal revenue after December
31, 1950, and before January 1, 1953, with re-
spect to assessments of such t
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 401. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
For the purposes of this subchapter—
**(a) Employment** The term “employment” means any service performed after 1936 and prior to 1951 which was employment for the purposes of this subchapter under the law applicable to the period in which such service was performed, and any service, of whatever nature, performed after 1950 (A) by an employee for the person employing him, irrespective of the citizenship or residence of either, (i) within the United States, or (ii) on or in connection with an American vessel or American aircraft under a contract of service which is entered into within the United States or during the performance of which and while the employee is employed on the vessel or aircraft it touches at a port in the United States, if the employee is employed on and in connection with such vessel or aircraft when outside the United States, or (B) outside the United States by a citizen or resident of the United States as an employee (i) of an American employer (as defined in subsection (e) of this section), or (ii) of a foreign affiliate (as defined in section 3121(l)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of an American employer during any period for which there is in effect an agreement, entered into pursuant to section 3121(l) of such Code, with respect to such affiliate, or (C) if it is service, regardless of where or by whom performed, which is designated as employment or recognized as equivalent to employment under an agreement entered into under [section 433 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section433&num=0&edition=prelim); except that, in the case of service performed after 1950, such term shall not include—
(1) Service performed by foreign agricultural workers lawfully admitted to the United States fro
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 410. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 410. Definitions relating to employment
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) Employment
The term ‘‘employment’’ means any service
performed after 1936 and prior to 1951 which was
employment for the purposes of this subchapter
under the law applicable to the period in which
such service was performed, and any service, of
whatever nature, performed after 1950 (A) by an
employee for the person employing him, irre-
spective of the citizenship or residence of either,
(i) within the United States, or (ii) on or in con-
nection with an American vessel or American
aircraft under a contract of service which is en-
tered into within the United States or during
the performance of which and while the em-
ployee is employed on the vessel or aircraft it
touches at a port in the United States, if the
employee is employed on and in connection with
such vessel or aircraft when outside the United
States, or (B) outside the United States by a cit-
izen or resident of the United States as an em-
ployee (i) of an American employer (as defined
in subsection (e) of this section), or (ii) of a for-
eign affiliate (as defined in section 3121(l)(6) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of an Amer-
ican employer during any period for which there
is in effect an agreement, entered into pursuant
to section 3121(l) of such Code, with respect to
such affiliate, or (C) if it is service, regardless of
where or by whom performed, which is des-
ignated as employment or recognized as equiva-
Page 1958
TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
§ 410
lent to employment under an agreement entered
into under section 433 of this title; except that,
in the case of service performed after 1950, such
term shall not include—
(1) Service performed by foreign agricultural
workers lawful
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 410. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Definitions** For the purposes of this subchapter—
(1) The term “quarter”, and the term “calendar quarter”, mean a period of three calendar months ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31.
(2)
(A) The term “quarter of coverage” means—
(i) for calendar years before 1978, and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), a quarter in which an individual has been paid $50 or more in wages (except wages for agricultural labor paid after 1954) or for which he has been credited (as determined under [section 412 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section412&num=0&edition=prelim)) with $100 or more of self-employment income; and
(ii) for calendar years after 1977, and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), each portion of the total of the wages paid and the self-employment income credited (pursuant to [section 412 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section412&num=0&edition=prelim)) to an individual in a calendar year which equals the amount required for a quarter of coverage in that calendar year (as determined under subsection (d)), with such quarter of coverage being assigned to a specific calendar quarter in such calendar year only if necessary in the case of any individual who has attained age 62 or died or is under a disability and the requirements for insured status in subsection (a) or (b) of [section 414 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section414&num=0&edition=prelim), the requirements for entitlement to a computation or recomputation of his primary insurance amount, or the requirements of paragraph (3) of [section 416(i) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 413. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 413. Quarter and quarter of coverage
(a) Definitions
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(1) The term ‘‘quarter’’, and the term ‘‘cal-
endar quarter’’, mean a period of three calendar
months ending on March 31, June 30, September
30, or December 31.
(2)(A) The term ‘‘quarter of coverage’’ means—
(i) for calendar years before 1978, and subject
to the provisions of subparagraph (B), a quar-
ter in which an individual has been paid $50 or
more in wages (except wages for agricultural
labor paid after 1954) or for which he has been
credited (as determined under section 412 of
this title) with $100 or more of self-employ-
ment income; and
(ii) for calendar years after 1977, and subject
to the provisions of subparagraph (B), each
portion of the total of the wages paid and the
self-employment income credited (pursuant to
section 412 of this title) to an individual in a
calendar year which equals the amount re-
quired for a quarter of coverage in that cal-
endar year (as determined under subsection
(d)), with such quarter of coverage being as-
signed to a specific calendar quarter in such
calendar year only if necessary in the case of
any individual who has attained age 62 or died
or is under a disability and the requirements
for insured status in subsection (a) or (b) of
section 414 of this title, the requirements for
entitlement to a computation or recomputa-
tion of his primary insurance amount, or the
requirements of paragraph (3) of section 416(i)
of this title would not otherwise be met.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subpara-
graph (A)—
(i) no quarter after the quarter in which an
individual dies shall be a quarter of coverage,
and no quarter any part of which is included in
a period of disability (other than the initial
quarter and
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 413. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
For the purposes of this subchapter—
**(a) “Fully insured individual” defined** The term “fully insured individual” means any individual who had not less than—
(1) one quarter of coverage (whenever acquired) for each calendar year elapsing after 1950 (or, if later, the year in which he attained age 21) and before the year in which he died or (if earlier) the year in which he attained age 62, except that in no case shall an individual be a fully insured individual unless he has at least 6 quarters of coverage; or
(2) 40 quarters of coverage; or
(3) in the case of an individual who died before 1951, 6 quarters of coverage;
not counting as an elapsed year for purposes of paragraph (1) any year any part of which was included in a period of disability (as defined in [section 416(i) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section416/i&num=0&edition=prelim)), and who satisfies the criterion specified in subsection (c).
**(b) “Currently insured individual” defined** The term “currently insured individual” means any individual who had not less than six quarters of coverage during the thirteen-quarter period ending with (1) the quarter in which he died, (2) the quarter in which he became entitled to old-age insurance benefits, (3) the quarter in which he became entitled to primary insurance benefits under this subchapter as in effect prior to August 28, 1950, or (4) in the case of any individual entitled to disability insurance benefits, the quarter in which he most recently became entitled to disability insurance benefits, not counting as part of such thirteen-quarter period any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage, and who satisfies the criterion specified
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 414. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 414. Insured status for purposes of old-age and
survivors insurance benefits
For the purposes of this subchapter—
(a) ‘‘Fully insured individual’’ defined
The term ‘‘fully insured individual’’ means
any individual who had not less than—
(1) one quarter of coverage (whenever ac-
quired) for each calendar year elapsing after
1950 (or, if later, the year in which he attained
age 21) and before the year in which he died or
(if earlier) the year in which he attained age
62, except that in no case shall an individual
be a fully insured individual unless he has at
least 6 quarters of coverage; or
(2) 40 quarters of coverage; or
(3) in the case of an individual who died be-
fore 1951, 6 quarters of coverage;
not counting as an elapsed year for purposes of
paragraph (1) any year any part of which was in-
cluded in a period of disability (as defined in
section 416(i) of this title), and who satisfies the
criterion specified in subsection (c).
(b) ‘‘Currently insured individual’’ defined
The
term
‘‘currently
insured
individual’’
means any individual who had not less than six
quarters of coverage during the thirteen-quarter
period ending with (1) the quarter in which he
died, (2) the quarter in which he became entitled
to old-age insurance benefits, (3) the quarter in
which he became entitled to primary insurance
benefits under this subchapter as in effect prior
to August 28, 1950, or (4) in the case of any indi-
vidual entitled to disability insurance benefits,
the quarter in which he most recently became
entitled to disability insurance benefits, not
counting as part of such thirteen-quarter period
any quarter any part of which was included in a
period of disability unless such quarter was a
quarter of coverage, and who satisfies the cri-
ter
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 42 U.S.C. § 414. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.