网 址 ： https://www.fool.

com/retirement/2024/01/12/5-big-social-security-changes-
took-effect-in-2024/

发表日期：2024 年 1 月 12 日

综述：本文介绍了加拿大 2024 年将在社会保障方面做出的 5 大方面调整，包括：

1、工人必须多挣一点钱才有资格享受社会保障；2、社会保障福利上进行了生
活成本调整。具体为：2024 年，社会保障福利方面将获得 3.2%的生活成本调整，
意味着普通退休工人每月可额外获得 59 美元；3、一些高收入工人将向社会保
障缴纳更多税款，因此某些工人今年将缴纳更多的社会保障税，最高应税收入
限额在 2024 年提高；4、社会保障退休人员最高福利待遇提高，70 岁时所能申
请的个人退休金每月最多可获得 4873 美元；5、提前申报的人可以在社会保障
福利被扣缴之前赚更多的钱。

文件名：5 Big Social Security Changes Took Effect in January 2024

原文：

5 Big Social Security Changes Took Effect in January 2024

By Trevor Jennewine – Jan 12, 2024 at 8:14AM
KEY POINTS
 Social Security benefits got a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment in 2024, which
means an additional $59 per month for the average retired worker.
 The maximum taxable earnings limit increased in 2024, such that certain
workers will pay more Social Security taxes this year.
 The maximum retired-worker benefit increased in 2024, such that individuals
claiming at age 70 could receive up to $4,873 per month.
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Social Security changes made in January will impact benefit payments and payroll
taxes throughout the year.
The Social Security program undergoes certain changes each year to keep benefits
aligned with inflation and wages. Another round of annual revisions took effect in
January 2024. Most of those changes could impact benefit payments for retired
workers and other current beneficiaries. But one change impacts Social Security
payroll taxes for current workers, and another impacts the program's eligibility
criteria.
Read on to learn about five big Social Security changes that took effect this year.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

1. Workers must earn a bit more money to qualify for Social Security
Workers must earn 40 credits (also called quarters of coverage) to be fully insured
under the Social Security program. Anyone who lacks 40 credits cannot receive
retirement benefits, nor can their families receive spousal benefits or survivors
benefits.
Workers can earn up to four credits per year by paying Social Security taxes, but the
amount of income required to earn a credit changes each year to keep pace with
general wage levels. The earnings amount required to earn one credit is $1,730 in
2024, up from $1,640 in 2023.
2. Social Security benefits got a cost-of-living adjustment
Social Security payments get an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to help
retired workers and other recipients keep up with inflation. Without those yearly
raises, benefits would quickly lose buying power as prices drifted upward across the
economy. For instance, a basket of goods and services priced at $100 in January 2004
would cost about $166 today, according to the Labor Department.
Social Security benefits got a 3.2% COLA in 2024. The chart below illustrates how
the COLA will impact the average benefit for retired workers, spouses, survivors, and
disabled workers.
 BENEFICIARY AVERAGE AVERAGE INCREASE
GROUP BENEFIT BENEFIT
BEFORE AFTER
COLA COLA

Retired worker $1,847 $1,906 $59

Spouse of retired $885 $913 $28

workers

Aged Widow(er) $1,720 $1,775 $55

Disabled worker $1,489 $1,537 $48

DATA SOURCE: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

3. Some high-income workers will pay more taxes to Social Security
Social Security is mostly financed through a payroll tax, but the amount of income
subject to taxation is limited under current law. The taxable earnings limit, also called
the taxable maximum, is adjusted annually to account for changes in general wage
levels.
The taxable maximum is $168,600 in 2024, up from $160,200 in 2023. That means
some workers will pay Social Security taxes on an additional $8,400 this year. The tax
rate for most workers is 6.2%, meaning they could owe an additional $520.80. But
self-employed workers are taxed at 12.4%, meaning they could owe an additional
$1,041.60.
4. The maximum Social Security retired-worker benefit got bigger
The Social Security benefits formula is modified annually to keep benefits aligned
with general wage levels. For that reason, the maximum payout for newly awarded
retired workers tends to increase each year. The maximum Social Security benefit
at full retirement age (FRA) is $3,822 per month in 2024, up from $3,627 per month
in 2023.
However, workers may choose to claim Social Security before or after FRA. The
chart below shows the maximum retired worker benefit at different claiming ages in
2024.

CLAIMING MAXIMUM RETIRED WORKER BENEFIT

AGE IN 2024

62 $2,710

65 $3,426
 CLAIMING MAXIMUM RETIRED WORKER BENEFIT
AGE IN 2024

66 $3,652

FRA $3,822

67 $3,911

70 $4,873

DATA SOURCE: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

5. Early filers can earn more money before Social Security benefits are withheld
Workers who start Social Security before FRA and continue working will have part of
their benefit temporarily withheld if their income exceeds certain limits. Those limits
are referred to as the retirement earnings test (RET) exempt amounts, and they tend to
increase each year based on changes in general wage levels.
The updated RET exempt amounts for 2024 are detailed below:
 The first limit is $22,320: This lower figure applies to workers who will be
under FRA for the entire year, such that $1 in Social Security benefits is
withheld for every $2 in earnings that exceed $22,320.
 The second limit is $59,520: This higher figure applies to workers who will
reach FRA during the year, such that $1 in Social Security benefits is withheld
for every $3 in earnings that exceed $59,520.
The earnings test no longer applies once a person reaches FRA, meaning retired
workers can earn as much income as they want without any impact on their Social
Security benefit. Additionally, any benefits withheld prior to FRA are gradually repaid
once the retired worker reaches FRA, such that they recoup most or all withholdings
over a typical lifespan.
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