1. How SSDI Benefits Are Calculated

• SSDI payments are based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), determined by your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over your 35 highest-earning years.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets an annual maximum benefit. Even if your earnings produce a higher PIA, you’ll never receive more than this limit.

2. 2025 Maximum Monthly SSDI Payment

• For 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month.
• To qualify for this amount, you’d typically need around 35 years of maximum taxable earnings under Social Security.

Most Pennsylvanians receive less than the maximum, with average monthly SSDI payments significantly lower due to shorter or lower-earning work histories.

3. Annual Cost‑of‑Living Adjustments (COLA)

• SSDI benefits receive a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) each year to help offset inflation.
• The 2025 COLA was approximately 2.5%, which increased both the maximum and average benefit amounts.
• Future COLAs will adjust the maximum benefit accordingly.

4. Family or Dependent Benefits

• Your SSDI payment may include auxiliary benefits for eligible dependents (such as a spouse or children).
• These additional payments can boost total household SSDI income, though SSA sets a family maximum, generally between 150% and 180% of your individual benefit.

5. Federal Standard Applies in Pennsylvania

• SSDI benefit calculations and maximum payment levels are the same federally, regardless of state, including Pennsylvania.
• Pennsylvania does not provide any additional state SSDI funds, but recipients still qualify for Medicare after 24 months of SSDI eligibility.