[20200713]IF11599_社会保障福利和平均工资和物价下降的影响.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov July 13, 2020Social Security Benefits and the Effect of Declines in Average Wages and PricesRecent news articles have highlighted how a decrease in national average wages may have a negative impact on the Social Security benefits of individuals reaching age 60 in 2020. Social Security benefits are tied to a workers earnings record but are also affected by changes in national wages and prices. This InFocus explains elements of the benefit formula, discusses the possible effects of declining average wages and prices on benefits, and reviews policy options for Congress. Congressional interest may be high because of the large number of potential Social Security beneficiaries for whom these benefits would comprise a big share of their total income. Average monthly Social Security benefits generally increase because of wage-indexing and price-indexing. Initial benefit amounts (i.e., retired worker benefit amounts that can be collected at the earliest eligibility age of 62) are indexed to the average wage index (AWI). Benefit amounts collected after the earliest eligibility age are indexed to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Work