What the 2025 SGA amount is for non-blind workers

The 2025 Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for non-blind workers is $1,550 per month. This is the earnings threshold Social Security uses to decide whether you are working at a level that counts as substantial gainful activity. If you earn more than $1,550 in a month, Social Security will assume you can work and may stop or suspend your SSDI benefits.

The SGA amount increases each year because it is tied to the national average wage index. Social Security announced the 2025 figure in October 2024, and it applies to all non-blind SSDI beneficiaries starting January 1, 2025. The amount was $1,550 in 2024 as well, so there is no change from the previous year.

This threshold applies whether you work for an employer or are self-employed. Social Security counts your gross earnings before taxes or other deductions. If you are unsure whether a particular job or income source counts toward the SGA limit, you should report it to Social Security rather than guess.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 SGA amount for non-blind workers is $1,550 per month, the same as 2024.
  • Earning more than $1,550 in a single month can trigger a work activity review that may result in benefit suspension or termination.
  • The SGA amount is based on gross income before taxes, and both W-2 employment and self-employment income count toward the limit.
  • Social Security uses the SGA amount to determine whether you are still disabled and unable to work; exceeding it does not automatically end benefits but starts a review process.

How Social Security uses the SGA amount to review your case

Exceeding the SGA amount does not automatically stop your benefits. Instead, it triggers what Social Security calls a work activity review. Social Security will contact you to gather information about the work you are doing, how long you have been doing it, and whether your condition has improved.

During this review, Social Security looks at whether the work is truly substantial and gainful — meaning it is not just a trial or temporary job, and you are actually earning the money reported. They also consider whether your medical condition has improved enough that you could sustain this work long-term. The review process typically takes several weeks to a few months.

If Social Security determines that you are performing substantial gainful activity, they may schedule a continuing disability review (CDR) to reassess your entire case. This is a formal medical and work evaluation, not just a conversation. You will be asked to provide updated medical records and information about your current symptoms and limitations.

The difference between SGA and trial work period earnings

The SGA amount is separate from the trial work period (TWP), which is a nine-month window during which you can earn any amount without affecting your benefits. During your TWP, you can test your ability to work without risk of losing SSDI payments.

Once your TWP ends, the SGA amount becomes the controlling threshold. After the TWP, if you earn more than $1,550 in any month, you move into what Social Security calls the extended may be able to access period (EEP), which lasts 36 months. During the EEP, you can still receive benefits in months when your earnings fall below the SGA amount, but months above it do not count as paid months.

Many people confuse these two rules. The key difference: during TWP, earnings do not matter at all. After TWP, the SGA amount is what matters. If you are unsure which period you are in, you can check your Social Security account online or call your local office.

Self-employment income and the SGA amount

If you are self-employed, Social Security counts your net profit — not gross revenue — toward the SGA limit. Net profit is what you have left after subtracting ordinary and necessary business expenses. You will need to keep records of income and expenses to show Social Security how you calculated your net earnings.

Social Security also looks at how much time you spend on the business and whether the work is comparable to what non-disabled people do in the same field. A self-employed person working 20 hours a week at substantial earnings will be treated differently than someone working a few hours a month on a hobby-level business.

If you are self-employed and your net profit is close to or above $1,550 per month, report it to Social Security before they discover it through tax records. Reporting it yourself and explaining the nature of the work gives you a chance to provide context that might affect how they evaluate your case.

What happens if you exceed the SGA amount

If you earn more than $1,550 in a month, you should report it to Social Security. You are required to report work activity, and failing to report can result in overpayments that you will have to repay.

Exceeding the SGA amount one time does not end your benefits when ready. Social Security will open a work activity review to understand what happened. If the high earnings were a one-time event or a short-term job, your benefits may continue without interruption. If the earnings are ongoing, Social Security will move forward with a continuing disability review.

During a continuing disability review, Social Security will request updated medical evidence from your doctors. They want to know whether your condition has improved, whether you are following treatment, and whether your functional limitations have changed. This review can take two to four months, and your benefits continue while it is pending.

Planning work while receiving SSDI

If you are thinking about returning to work, you do not have to wait until you exceed the SGA amount to report it. Social Security has a Ticket to Work program that allows you to test your work capacity with additional protections. Under Ticket to Work, you can work with a service provider to develop a work plan, and your benefits are protected during an extended period even if you exceed SGA.

You can also use the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) program if you are saving money or setting aside income for a specific work goal — such as education, equipment, or business startup costs. A PASS allows you to exclude certain income and resources from the SGA calculation, giving you more room to earn while keeping benefits.

Before you start any work, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your situation. They can explain which programs might protect your benefits and what you need to report. Getting information before you work is much simpler than dealing with overpayments or benefit suspensions later.

How the SGA amount changes year to year

The SGA amount is adjusted annually based on changes in the national average wage index. This index measures the average earnings of all workers in the United States. When average wages go up, the SGA amount goes up. When wages are flat, the SGA amount stays the same.

Social Security announces the new SGA amount in October of each year, and it takes effect on January 1. You can find the current and historical SGA amounts on the Social Security website under "Substantial Gainful Activity." The SGA amount for blind workers is different — it was $2,590 per month in 2025 — so make sure you are looking at the non-blind threshold if that applies to you.

The SGA amount has increased most years, but not every year. Between 2024 and 2025, it remained at $1,550. Knowing the current amount helps you plan whether to take on work or increase your hours without triggering a review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I earn $1,550 exactly in a month?

Earning exactly $1,550 is at the threshold but does not exceed it. Social Security considers the SGA amount to be the upper limit, so $1,550 or less in a month should not trigger a work activity review. However, if you are consistently at or near the limit, Social Security may still open a review to assess your work pattern over time.

Do I have to report work if I earn less than $1,550?

Yes. You are required to report all work activity to Social Security, even if your earnings are below the SGA amount. Failing to report work can result in overpayments. Report your work through your Social Security account online, by phone, or in person at your local office.

Can the SGA amount change mid-year?

No. The SGA amount is set on January 1 each year and does not change until the following January. The 2025 amount of $1,550 will remain in effect through December 31, 2025, regardless of any changes to the national average wage index during the year.

If I work part-time and earn under SGA, will my benefits ever stop?

Not because of the SGA amount alone. However, Social Security can still conduct a continuing disability review at any time to reassess whether your medical condition has improved. Staying below the SGA amount protects you from work activity reviews, but it does not prevent Social Security from reviewing your case based on medical evidence.

What counts as income toward the SGA limit?

Wages from employment and net profit from self-employment both count. Social Security does not count certain types of income toward SGA, such as Social Security benefits themselves, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or certain impairment-related work expenses. Ask Social Security if you are unsure whether a specific income source counts.