substantial-gainful-activity 2026

Title: Determinations of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). URL Source: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/sgadet.html. SGA for the Blind applies to Social Security benefits, but does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The formula for determining the SGA amount for the blind is set by law and is applicable only if a cost-of-living increase becomes effective for December of the year in which a determination of the SGA amount would ordinarily be made. Because there is a cost-of-living increase for December 2025, the formula can be applied. According to the formula, the monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2026 is such SGA amount for 1994 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2024 to that for 1992, or, if larger, such SGA amount for 2025 ($2,700). If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10. Calculation details. Amounts in formula. 1994 monthly SGA amount $930. 1992 average wage index 22,935.42. 2024 average wage index 69,846.57. Computation $930 times (69,846.57 divided by 22,935.42) equals $2,832.18, which rounds to $2,830. Higher amount $2,830 exceeds the corresponding amount for 2025, so the amount for 2026 is $2,830. SGA for the Non-Blind Disabled applies to Social Security and SSI benefits. The method used to adjust the SGA for non-blind individuals is similar to that used for blind individuals and was published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2000. The monthly SGA amount for non-blind disabled individuals for 2026 is such SGA amount for 2000 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2024 to that for 1998, or, if larger such SGA amount for 2025 ($1,620). If the amount so calculated is not a multiple of $10, we round it to the nearest multiple of $10. Calculation details. Amounts in formula. 2000 monthly SGA amount $700. 1998 average wage index 28,861.44. 2024 average wage index 69,846.57. Computation $700 times (69,846.57 divided by 28,861.44) equals $1,694.05, which rounds to $1,690. Higher amount $1,690 exceeds the corresponding amount for 2025, so the amount for 2026 is $1,690.