Page 153

For 1978 and later, credits are based solely on the total yearly amount of earnings. The number of credible QQs is obtained by dividing the individual’s total earned income by the increment amount for the year. The maximum number of quarters per year is 4. All types of earnings follow this rule. The amount of earnings needed to earn a credit increases and is different for each year. The Credit of Qualifying Quarters Chart presented below outlines the amount of earnings needed for each credit for 1979 through 2012.

Year Amount of Needed Earnings Year Amount of Needed Earnings 1979 $260 1996 $640 1980 $290 1997 $670 1981 $310 1998 $700 1982 $340 1999 $740 1983 $370 2000 $780 1984 $390 2001 $830 1985 $410 2002 $870 1986 $440 2003 $890 1987 $460 2004 $900 1988 $470 2005 $920 1989 $500 2006 $970 1990 $520 2007 $1,000 1991 $540 2008 $1,050 1992 $570 2009 $1,090 1993 $590 2010 $1,120 1994 $620 2011 $1,120 1995 $630 2012 $1,130

A current year quarter and a quarter earned in the immediately preceding year may be included in the 40-quarter computation even if SSA does not have information about those earnings on the automated system. The SSR should use the individual's earnings (earned to date) as the numerator to determine the number of quarters earned in a current year for which SSA does not yet have data on the automated system. IMA has elected to allow credit for a quarter even if the year is not yet complete.