Automatic Determinations

Contribution & Benefit Base

Wage-indexed Amounts

Method for determining the base
The formula for determining the OASDI contribution and benefit base is set by law. The formula is applicable only if a cost-of-living increase becomes effective for December of the year in which a determination of the base would ordinarily be made. Because there is a cost-of-living increase for December 2024, the formula is applicable. The formula states that the base for any year Y after 1994 is equal to the 1994 base of $60,600 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for year (Y-2) to that for 1992, with the result rounded to the nearest multiple of $300. If the result is less than the current base, the base is not reduced.

Base for 2025
Under the above formula, the base for 2025 shall be the 1994 base of $60,600 multiplied by the ratio of the national average wage index for 2023 to that for 1992, or, if larger, the 2024 base of $168,600. If the amount so determined is not a multiple of $300, it is rounded to the nearest multiple of $300.

Calculation details
Amounts in
formula
1994 base$60,600
1992 average wage index22,935.42
2023 average wage index66,621.80
Computation$60,600 times 66,621.80 divided by 22,935.42 equals $176,028.22, which rounds to $176,100
Higher amount$176,100 exceeds the base for 2024, so the base for 2025 is $176,100