Social Security Office Projects Social Security Wage Base Through 2018
The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Office of the Chief Actuary (OCA) is projecting that the Social Security wage base will remain at $106,800 in 2010. This is the first time in recent history that the wage base has not increased from the prior year. SSA is projecting the base could reach as high as $155,400 by 2018. The projections were included as part of the annual report to Congress. 

Actual annual increases to the wage base are announced in mid October of the preceding year and are based on then-current economic conditions. There are three projection formulas based on inflation estimates. The OCA's forecasts, especially the longer-range ones, are subject to change. Last year's actuarial estimate of $106,500 for the 2009 Social Security wage base was $300 less than the actual amount of $106,800. 

The mid-range SSA forecasts through 2018 are as follows:

• 2010 — $106,800
• 2011 — $106,800
• 2012 — $114,900
• 2013 — $119,400
• 2014 — $124,200
• 2015 — $129,300
• 2016 — $134,700
• 2017 — $140,400
• 2018 — $145,500

The Social Security wage base would reach $155,400 in 2018 under the high cost forecast.