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	National Average Wage Index












  
     
     Automatic Determinations
  Cost-of-Living Adjustment
    Graph of AWI series
    Recent indexed program amounts
 
   Latest index
    The national average wage index for 2024 is 69,846.57. The index is 
    4.84 percent higher than the index for 2023.
    Indexed earnings used to compute initial benefits
     When we compute a person's retirement benefit, we
     use the national average wage indexing series to index
     that person's earnings.  Such indexation ensures
     that a worker's future benefits reflect the general rise in the standard of
     living that occurred during his or her working lifetime.
    
     When indexing an individual's earnings for benefit computation purposes, we must 
     first determine the year of first eligibility for benefits. For retirement,
     eligibility is at age 62.  If a person reaches age 62 in 2026, for example, 
     then 2026 is the person's year of eligibility. We always index an individual's
     earnings to the average wage level two years prior to the year of first
     eligibility.  Thus, for a person retiring at age 62 in 2026, we would index
     the person's earnings to the average wage index for 2024, or 69,846.57.
     We would multiply earnings in a year before 2024 by the ratio of 69,846.57
     to the average wage index for that year; we would take earnings in 2024 or
     later at face value. (See two 
     examples of indexed earnings.)
    
    Indexed program amounts
     We use the average wage indexing series to update several amounts that are
     important to the operation of Social Security's Old-Age, Survivors, and
     Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.
     OASDI contribution and benefit base
      (also known as the taxable maximum)
     Retirement earnings test exempt amounts
     Formulas for a primary insurance
      amount and maximum family benefits
     Amount of earnings needed to earn a quarter of
      coverage ("credit")
     "Old-law" contribution and benefit base (as
      determined under the law as in effect before the 1977 amendments)
     Coverage thresholds for both domestic
      employees and election workers
     Substantial gainful activity amounts for
      disabled beneficiaries and earnings that trigger a 
      trial work period
     
     In addition, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation uses the national average wage
      index to compute premium rates for PBGC-insured plans, as required by section 4006 of ERISA.
    Determination of the National Average Wage Index for 2024
     To determine the national average wage index for calendar year 2024, we multiplied the
     2023 national average wage index of 66,621.80 by the percentage change in average 
     wages from 2023 to 2024, as measured by annual wage
     data we tabulated.  The wage data are based on wages subject to Federal
     income taxes and contributions to deferred compensation plans.
     
     The average amounts of wages calculated directly from our data were $63,932.64 and
     $67,027.24 for 2023 and 2024, respectively. To determine the national
     average wage index for 2024 at a level that is consistent with the national 
     average wage indexing series for prior years, we multiply the 2023 national
     average wage index of 66,621.80 by the percentage change in average wages from
     2023 to 2024 (based on our tabulated wage data).  In other words, the national
     average wage index for 2024 is 66,621.80 times 67,027.24 divided by 63,932.64,
     which equals 69,846.57.
     
     The complete average wage indexing series is shown below.
 


National average wage indexing series, 1951-2024



 
  Year
  Index
 1951
    2,799.16
 1952
    2,973.32
 1953
    3,139.44
 1954
    3,155.64
 1955
    3,301.44
 1956
    3,532.36
 1957
    3,641.72
 1958
    3,673.80
 1959
    3,855.80
 1960
    4,007.12
 1961
    4,086.76
 1962
    4,291.40
 1963
    4,396.64
 1964
    4,576.32
 1965
    4,658.72
 1966
    4,938.36
 1967
    5,213.44
 1968
    5,571.76
 1969
    5,893.76
 1970
    6,186.24
 1971
    6,497.08
 1972
    7,133.80
 1973
    7,580.16
 1974
    8,030.76
 1975
    8,630.92
 1976
    9,226.48
 1977
    9,779.44
 1978
    10,556.03
 1979
    11,479.46
 1980
    12,513.46



 
  Year
  Index
 1981
    13,773.10
 1982
    14,531.34
 1983
    15,239.24
 1984
    16,135.07
 1985
    16,822.51
 1986
    17,321.82
 1987
    18,426.51
 1988
    19,334.04
 1989
    20,099.55
 1990
    21,027.98
 1991
    21,811.60
 1992
    22,935.42
 1993
    23,132.67
 1994
    23,753.53
 1995
    24,705.66
 1996
    25,913.90
 1997
    27,426.00
 1998
    28,861.44
 1999
    30,469.84
 2000
    32,154.82
 2001
    32,921.92
 2002
    33,252.09
 2003
    34,064.95
 2004
    35,648.55
 2005
    36,952.94
 2006
    38,651.41
 2007
    40,405.48
 2008
    41,334.97
 2009
    40,711.61
 2010
    41,673.83



 
  Year
  Index
 2011
    42,979.61
 2012
    44,321.67
 2013
    44,888.16
 2014
    46,481.52
 2015
    48,098.63
 2016
    48,642.15
 2017
    50,321.89
 2018
    52,145.80
 2019
    54,099.99
 2020
    55,628.60
 2021
    60,575.07
 2022
    63,795.13
 2023
    66,621.80
 2024
    69,846.57


   




  
  
    
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