How Much Have Monthly SSD Benefits Increased Since 1960?

Disability Benefits

Important: We updated this article in May 2023 to make sure all info below is both current and correct. Since 1960, the Social Security disability program has steadily increased the average monthly payment amount. In some years, SSD benefits increased significantly. This increase is due to Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and economic inflation. The SSA’s Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program tracks average disability payments every year. Of course, in some years, monthly SSD benefits increased dramatically for disabled American workers. This is great news for those looking to apply for Social Security disability either now or in the near future.



See How Much Average SSD Benefits Increased Annually

After adjusting for inflation rates, 2023 looks to be the year when SSD benefits increased most due to an annual COLA. This year, SSD beneficiaries got at least $150 more per month than they did in 2022. This is due to an 8.7% COLA, the largest since 1981.

Prior to the 2023 COLA announcement in October 2022, the year when SSD benefits increased most was 2021. Just a year earlier, SSD recipients received about $76 extra in monthly benefits.

Average Monthly SSD Pay Amounts Since 1960

Below are the annual SSD pay amounts, on average, that people received nationwide:

1960: $89.31 per month

1961: $89.59 per month

1962: $89.99 per month

1963: $90.59 per month

1964: $91.12 per month

1965: $97.76 per month

1966: $98.09 per month

1967: $98.43 per month

1968: $111.86 per month

1969: $112.74 per month

1970: $131.26 per month

1971: $146.52 per month

1972: $179.32 per month

1973: $183 per month

1974: $205.70 per month

1975: $225.90 per month

1976: $245.17 per month

1977: $265.30 per month

1978: $288.30 per month

1979: $322 per month

1980: $370.70 per month

1981: $413.20 per month

1982: $440.60 per month

1983: $456.20 per month

1984: $470.70 per month

1985: $483.80 per month

1986: $487.90 per month

1987: $508.20 per month

1988: $529.50 per month

1989: $556 per month

1990: $587.20 per month

1991: $609.40 per month

1992: $626.10 per month

1993: $641.70 per month

1994: $661.40 per month

1995: $681.60 per month

1996: $703.90 per month

1997: $721.60 per month

1998: $733.10 per month

1999: $754.10 per month

2000: $786.40 per month

2001: $814.40 per month

2002: $834.30 per month

2003: $861.60 per month

2004: $894.10 per month

2005: $938 per month

2006: $977.70 per month

2007: $1,004 per month

2008: $1,063.10 per month

2009: $1,064.30 per month

2010: $1,067.80 per month

2011: $1,110.50 per month

2012: $1,130.34 per month

2013: $1,146.42 per month

2014: $1,165.39 per month

2015: $1,165.79 per month

2016: $1,171 per month

2017: $1,197 per month

2018: $1,200 per month

2019: $1,234 per month

2020: $1,258 per month

2021: $1,282 per month

2022: $1,358 per month

2023: $1,483 per month

How to Get Expert Claim Help at No Cost to You

If you’re considering applying for SSDI or SSI benefits, then you should speak with an experienced Social Security attorney. A lawyer will charge you nothing for expert claim help today. In fact, disability lawyers won’t accept your case unless you’re likely to win benefits. In fact, you’re nearly 3x more likely to get disability benefits if a lawyer files your application. They also cannot charge you anything until after you win your case. If you don’t win, then you pay $0 for expert claim help.

Want free expert claim help without leaving your home? Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz to see if you may qualify now:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation

Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.