An Act to amend title II of the Social Security Act to increase old-age and survivors insurance benefits, to preserve insurance rights of permanently and totally disabled individuals, and to increase the amount of earnings permitted without loss of benefits, and for other purposes.
PL 82-590 (H.R.7800), enacted 07/18/1952

66 
S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
767 
Public Law 590 
CHAPTER 945 
AN ACT 
July 18, 1952 
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to increase old-age and survivors 
[H. R. rsoo] 
insurance benefits, to preserve insurance rights of permanently and totally 
disabled individuals, and to increase the amount of earnings permitted without 
loss of benefits, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assemhled^ That this Act may A
c
^
t A^li<toen'tVoif 
be cited as the "Social Security Act Amendments of 1952". 
1952. 
INCREASE 
I N 
BENEFIT 
AMOUNTS 
Benefits Computed by Conversion Table 
SEC. 2. (a) (1) Section 215 (c) (1) of the Social Security Act 
(relating to determinations made by use of the conversion table) is 
amended by striking out the table and inserting in lieu thereof the 
following new table: 
64 Stat. 506. 
42 u s e 415. 
If the primary insurance benefit (as determined under subsection (d)) is: 
$10 
$11 
$12 
. . . 
. . 
$13 
$14 ._ 
$15 
, 
$16 . . 
. . 
$17 
$18 .- 
. 
- 
. 
. 
. - 
--. 
$19 
$25)-.. 
$ 2 1 . . . 
$22 
$23 
$24 
_ 
$25 
$26 
$27 
-. 
$28 
$29 
$30 
$31 
$32 
$33 
$34 
$33 
J37 
.--
$3S 
$39 -. 
$40... 
$41 
$42 
$43 
$44 
$45 
$46 
II 
The primary 
insurance 
amount shall 
be: 
$25.00 
27.00 
29.00 
31.00 
33.00 
35.00 
36.70 
38.20 
39.50 
40.70 
42.00 
43.50 
45.30 
47.50 
50.10 
52.40 
54.40 
5a 30 
58.00 
59.40 
60.80 
62.00 
63.30 
64.40 
65.50 
66.60 
67.80 
68.90 
70.00 
71.00 
72.00 
73.10 
74.10 
75.10 
76.10 
77.10 
77.10 
III 
And the average 
monthly wage 
for purpose of 
computing 
maximum 
benefits shall 
be: 
$45.00 
49.00 
53.00 
56.00 
60.00 
64.00 
67.00 
6% 00 
72.00 
74.00 
76.00 
79.00 
82.00 
86.00 
91.00 
95.00 
99.00 
109.00 
120.00 
129.00 
139.00 
147.00 
155.00 
163.00 
170.00 
177.00 
185.00 
193.00 
200.00 
207.00 
213.00 
221.00 
227.00 
234.00 
241.00 
250.00 
250.00" 
(2) Section 215 (c) (2) of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
''(2) In case the primary insurance benefit of an individual 
(determined as provided in subsection (d)) falls betw^een the amounts 
on any two consecutive lines in column I of the table, the amount 
referred to in paragraphs (2) (B) and (3) of subsection (a) for such 
individual shall be the amount determined with respect to such benefit 
(under the applicable regulations in effect on May 1, 1952), increased 
by 121/^ per centum or $5, whichever is the larger, and further 
increased, if it is not then a multiple of $0.10, to the next higher 
multiple of $0.10." 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 STAT. 
42 use 415. 
(3) Section 215 (c) of such Act is further amended by inserting 
after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph: 
42 use 403. 
"(4) For purposes of section 203 (a), the average monthly wage 
of an individual whose primary insurance amount is determined under 
paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be a sum equal to the average 
monthly wage which would result in such primary insurance amount 
upon application of the provisions of subsection (a) (1) of this section 
and without the application of subsection (e) (2) or (g) of this 
section; except that, if such sum is not a multiple of $1, it shall be 
rounded to the nearest multiple of $1." 
Revision of the Benefit Formula; Revised Minimum and Maximum 
Amounts 
(b) (1) Section 215 (a) (1) of the Social Security Act (relating 
to primary insurance amount) is amended to read as follows: 
"(1) Tne primary insurance amount of an individual who attained 
age twenty-two after 1950 and with respect to whom not less than six 
of the quarters elapsing after 1950 are quarters of coverage shall be 
55 per centum of the first $100 of his average monthly wage, plus 15 
per centum of the next $200 of such wage; except that, if his average 
monthly wage is less than $48, his primary insurance amount shall be 
the amount appearing in column I I of the following table on the line 
on which in column I appears his average monthly wage. 
"I 
II 
Average Monthly Wage 
Primary Insurance Amount 
$34 or less 
$25 
$35 through $47 
$26" 
(2) Section 203 (a) of such Act (relating to maximum benefits) is 
amended by striking out "$150" and "$40" wherever they occur and 
inserting in lieu thereof "$168.75" and "$45", respectively. 
Effective Dates 
(c) (1) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall, subject to 
the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection and notwithstand-
ing the provisions of section 215 (f) (1) of the Social Security Act, 
apply in the case of lump-sum death payments under section 202 of 
42 use 402. 
such Act with respect to deaths occurring after, and in the case of 
monthly benefits under such section for any month after, August 1952. 
(2) (A) In the case of any individual who is (without the appli-
cation of section 202 (j) (1) of the Social Security Act) entitled to a 
monthly benefit under subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g),or (h) 
of such section 202 for August 1952, whose benefit for such month is 
computed through use of a primary insurance amount determined 
Ante, p. 767. 
uudcr paragraph (1) or (2) of section 215 (c) of such Act, and who 
is entitled to such benefit for any succeeding month on the basis of the 
same wages and self-employment income, the amendments made by 
this section shall not (suDJect to the provisions of subparagraph (B) 
of this paragraph) apply for purposes of computing the amount of 
such benefit for such succeeding month. The amount of such benefit 
for such succeeding month shall instead be equal to the larger of (i) 
1121/2 per centum of the amount of such benefit (after the application 
of sections 203 (a) and 215 (g) of the Social Security Act as in effect 
prior to the enactment of this Act) for August 1952, increased, if it is 
not a multiple of $0.10, to the next higher multiple of $0.10, or (ii) 
the amount of such benefit (after the application of sections 203 (a) 
and 215 (g) of the Social Security Act as in effect prior to the enact-
ment of this Act) for August 1952, increased by an amount equal to 
42 use 403. 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 590~JULY 18, 1952 
769 
the product obtained by multiplying $5 by the fraction applied to 
the primary insurance amount which was used in determining such 
benefit, and further increased, if such product is not a multiple of 
$0.10, to the next higher multiple of $0.10. The provisions of section 
203 (a) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this section (and, 
for purposes of such section 203 (a), the provisions of section 215 (c) 
(4) of the Social Security Act, as amended by this section), shall 
^'*««'P- 768. 
apply to such benefit as computed under the preceding sentence of 
this subparagraph, and the resulting amount, if not a multiple of 
$0.10, shall be increased to the next higher multiple of $0.10. 
(B) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall cease to apply to 
the benefit of any individual for any month under title I I of the 
Social Security Act, beginning with the first month after August 
^°**' P- ^''2. 
1952 for which (i) another individual becomes entitled, on the basis 
of the same wages and self-employment income, to a benefit under 
such title to which he was not entitled, on the basis of such wages 
and self-employment income, for August 1952; or (ii) another indi-
vidual, entitled for August 1952 to a benefit under such title on the 
basis of the same wages and self-employment income, is not entitled 
to such benefit on the basis of such wages and self-employment 
income; or (iii) the amount of any benefit which would be payable on 
the basis of the same wages and self-employment income under the 
provisions of such title, as amended by this Act, differs from the 
amount of such benefit which would have been payable for August 
1952 under such title, as so amended, if the amendments made by this 
Act had been applicable in the case of benefits under such title for 
such month. 
(3) The amendments made by subsection (b) shall (notwithstand-
ing the provisions of section 215 (f) (1) of the Social Security Act) 
^^ ^^^ ^^5. 
apply in the case of lump-sum death payments under section 202 of 
'•2 use 402. 
such Act with respect to deaths occurring after August 1952, and in 
the case of monthly benefits under such section for months after 
August 1952. 
Saving Provisions 
(d) (1) Where— 
(A) an individual was entitled (without the application of 
• 
section 202 (j) (1) of the Social Security Act) to an old-age 
insurance benefit under title I I of such Act for August 1952; 
(B) two or more other persons were entitled (without the 
application of such section 202 (j) (1)) to monthly benefits under 
such title for such month on the basis of the wages and self-
employment income of such individual; and 
(C) the total of the benefits to which all persons are entitled 
under such title on the basis of such individual's wages and self-
employment income for any subsequent month for which he is 
entitled to an old-age insurance benefit under such title, would 
(but for the provisions of this paragraph) be reduced by reason 
of the application of section 203 (a) of the Social Security Act, 
as amended by this Act, 
then the total of benefits, referred to in clause (C), for such subsequent 
month shall be reduced to whichever of the following is the larger: 
(D) the amount determined pursuant to section 203 (a) of the 
Social Security Act, as amended by this Act; or 
(E) the amount determined pursuant to such section, as in 
effect prior to the enactment of this Act, for August 1952 plus 
the excess of (i) the amount of his old-age insurance benefit for 
August 1952 computed as if the amendments made by the preced-
ing subsections of this section had been applicable in the case of 
7t0 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 STAT. 
such benefit for August 1952, over (ii) the amount of his old-age 
insurance benefit for August 1952. 
(2) No increase in any benefit by reason of the amendments made 
by this section or by reason of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of 
this section shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of 
Post. p. 776. 
section 215 (f) of the Social Security Act. 
PRESERVATION OF INSURANCE RIGHTS OF PERMANENTLY AND 
TOTALLY DISABLED 
42 use 413. 
SEC. 3. (a) (1) Section 213 (a) (2) (A) of the Social Security 
Act (defining quarter of coverage) is amended to read as follows: 
"Quarter of cov- 
"(A) The term 'quarter of coverage' means, in the case of any 
quarter occurring prior to 1951, a quarter in which the individual 
has been paid $50 or more in wages, except that no quarter any part 
of which was included in a period of disability (as defined in section 
Post, p. 771. 
216 (i)), other than the initial quarter of such period, shall be a 
quarter of coverage. In the case of any individual who has been 
paid, in a calendar year prior to 1951, $3,000 or more in wages, each 
quarter of such year following his first quarter of coverage shall be 
deemed a quarter of coverage, excepting any quarter in such year in 
which such individual died or became entitled to a primary insurance 
benefit and any quarter succeeding such quarter in which he died or 
became so entitled, and excepting any quarter any part of which was 
included in a period of disability, other than the initial quarter of 
such period." 
(2) Section 213 (a) (2) (B) (i) of such Act is amended to read 
as follows: 
"(i) no quarter after the quarter in which such individual died 
shall be a quarter of coverage, and no quarter any part of which was 
included in a period of disability (other than the initial quarter and 
the last quarter of such period) shall be a quarter of coverage;". 
(3) Section 213 (a) (2) (B) (iii) of such Act is amended by 
striking out "shall be a quarter of coverage" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "shall (subject to clause (i)) be a quarter of coverage". 
42 use 414. 
(b) (1) Section 214 (a) (2) of the Social Security Act (defining 
fully insured individual) is amended by striking out subparagraph 
(B) and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 
"(B) forty quarters of coverage, 
not counting as an elapsed quarter for purposes of subparagraph (A) 
any quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability 
Post, p. 771. 
(as defined in section 216 (i)) unless such quarter was a quarter of 
coverage." 
(2) Section 214 (b) of such Act (defining currently insured in-
dividual) is amended by striking out the period and inserting in lieu 
thereof: ", not counting as part of such thirteen-quarter period any 
quarter any part of which was included in a period of disability unless 
such quarter was a quarter of coverage." 
42 use 415. 
(c) (1) Section 215 (b) (1) of the Social Security Act (defining 
average monthly wage) is amended by inserting after "excluding 
from such elapsed months any month in any quarter prior to the 
quarter in which he attained the age of twenty-two which was not a 
quarter of coverage" the following: "and any month in any quarter 
. any part of which was included in a period of disability (as defined 
in section 216 (i)) unless such quarter was a quarter of coverage". 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
771 
(2) Section 215 (b) (4) of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
'^^ "^^ '*^^-
"(4) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection, 
in computing an individual's average monthly wage, there shall not 
be taken into account— 
"(A) any self-employment income of such individual for tax-
able years ending in or after the month in which he died or became 
entitled to old-age insurance benefits, whichever first occurred; 
"(B) any wages paid such individual in any quarter any part of 
which was included in a period of disability unless such quarter 
was a quarter of coverage; 
"(C) any self-employment income of such individual for any 
taxable year all of which was included in a period of disability." 
(3) Section 215 (d) of such Act (relating to primary insurance 
benent for purposes of conversion table) is amended by adding at the 
end thereof the following new paragraph: 
"(5) In the case of any individual to whom paragraph (1), (2), 
or (4) of this subsection is applicable, his primary insurance benent 
shall be computed as provided therein; except that, for purposes of 
paragraphs (1) and (2) and subparagraph (C) of paragraph (4), 
any quarter prior to 1951 any part of which was included in a period 
of disability shall be excluded from the elapsed quarters unless it was 
a quarter of coverage, and any wages paid in any such quarter shall 
not be counted." 
(d) Section 216 of the Social Security Act (relating to certain 
^2 use 4i6. 
definitions) is amended by adding after subsection (h) the following 
new subsection: 
"Disability; Period of Disability 
"(i) (1) The term 'disability' means (A) inability to engage in any 
substantially gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable 
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to be perma-
nent, or (B) blindness; and the term 'blindness' means central visual 
acuity of 5/200 or less in the better eye with the use of correcting 
lenses. An eye in which the visual field is reduced to five degrees or 
less concentric contraction shall be considered for the purpose of this 
paragraph as having a central visual acuity of 5/200 or less. 
An 
individual shall not be considered to be under a disability unless he fur-
nishes such proof of the existence thereof as may be required. 
"(2) The term 'period of disability' means a continuous period of 
not less than six full calendar months (beginning and ending as here-
inafter provided in this subsection) during which an individual was 
under a disability (as defined in paragraph (1)). 
No such period 
with respect to any disability shall begin as to any individual unless 
such individual, while under such disability, files an application for 
a disability determination. 
Except as provided in paragraph (4), a 
period of disability shall begin on whichever of the following days is 
the latest: 
"(A) the day the disability began; 
"(B) the first day of the one-year period which ends with the 
day before the day on which the individual filed such application; 
or 
"(C) the first day of the first quarter in which he satisfies the 
requirements of paragraph (3). 
A period of disability shall end on the day on which the disability 
ceases. No application for a disability determination which is filed 
more than three months before the first day on which a period of dis-
ability can begin (as determined under this paragraph) shall be 
93300 O - 53 - 52 
772 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 STAT. 
• ' 
accepted as an application for the purposes of this paragraph, and no 
such application which is filed prior to July 1,1953, shall be accepted. 
"(3) The requirements referred to in paragraphs (2) (C) and (4) 
(B) are satisfied by an individual with respect to any quarter only if 
he had not less than— 
Ante, p. 770. 
« ( ^ ) gj^ quarters of coverage (as defined in section 213 (a) (2)) 
during the thirteen-quarter period which ends with such quarter; 
•- 
and 
"(B) twenty quarters of coverage during the forty-quarter 
period which ends with such quarter, 
not counting as part of the thirteen-quarter period specified in clause 
(A), or the forty-quarter period specified in clause (B), any quarter 
any part of which was included in a prior period of disability unless 
such quarter was a quarter of coverage. 
" (4) If an individual files an application for a disability determina-
tion after June 1953, and before January 1955, with respect to a disa-
bility which began before July 1953, and continued without interrup-
tion until such application was filed, then the beginning day for the 
period of disability shall be whichever of the following days is the 
later: 
"(A) the day such disability began; or 
"(B) the first day of the first quarter in which he satisfies the 
requirements of paragraph (3)." 
42 use 401-419. 
(g) Title I I of the Social Security Act is amended by adding after 
section 219 the following new sections: 
"DISABILITY PROVISIONS INAPPLI<;3ABLE IF BENEFITS WOULD BE REDUCED 
"SEC. 220. The provisions of this title relating to periods of disability 
shall not apply in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death 
payment if such benefit or payment would be greater without the 
application of such provisions. 
"DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS TO BE MADE BY STATE AGENCIES 
"SEC. 221. (a) In the case of any individual, the determination of 
whether or not he is under a disability (as defined in section 216 (i) 
Ante. p. 771. 
(1)) and of the day such disability began, and the determination of 
the day on which such disability ceases, shall be made by a State 
agency pursuant to an agreement entered into under subsection (b). 
"(b) The Administrator shall enter into an agreement with each 
State which is willing to make such an agreement under which the 
State agency administering or supervising the administration of the 
1355.^^^ 13 5 1- State plan approved under title XIV, the State agency or agencies 
Post, p. 779. 
administering the State plan approved under the Vocational Rehabili-
tation Act, or the State agency administering the workmen's compen-
sation law of such State, as may be designated in the agreement, will 
make the determinations referred to in subsection (a) with respect to 
individuals in such State. 
"(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator may, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hear-
ing to an individual who has been determined by a State agency 
pursuant to an agreement under this section to be under a disability, 
determine that such individual is not under a disability or that such 
disability began on a day later than that determined by such agency. 
Such a determination by the Administrator shall be the determination 
Ante, p. 771. 
used for purposes of section 216 (i) in lieu of that made by such State 
agency. 
, 
66 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
773 
"(d) Each State which has an agreement with the Administrator of^fat"''"'^*'"*"* 
under this section shall be entitled to receive from the Trust Fund, in 
advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be mutually agreed upon, 
the cost to the State of carrying out the agreement under this section. 
The Administrator shall from time to time certify such amount as is 
necessary for this purpose to the Managing Trustee and the Managing 
Trustee, prior to audit or settlement by the General Accounting Office, 
shall make payment from the Trust Fund at the time or times fixed 
by the Administrator, in accordance with such certification. 
"(e) All money paid to a State under this section shall be used solely 
for the purposes for which it is paid; and any money which is so paid 
v/hich is not used for such purposes shall be returned to the Treasury 
for deposit in the Trust Fund." 
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 215 (f) (1) of the 
^2 use 4i5. 
Social Security Act, the amendments made by subsections (a), (b), 
(c), and (d) of this section shall apply to monthly benefits under title 
I I of the Social Security Act for months after June 1953, and to lump- 
'^nte, p. 772. 
sum death payments under such title in the case of deaths occurring 
after June 1953; but no recomputation of benefits by reason of such 
amendments shall be regarded as a recomputation for purposes of 
section 215 (f) of the Social Security Act. 
P°^^' P- 776. 
(g) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section and 
the amendments made thereby, such provisions and amendments shall 
cease to be in effect at the close of June 30,1953, and after such amend-
ments cease to be in effect any provision of law amended thereby shall 
be in full force and effect as though this Act had not been enacted. 
INCREASE I N AMOUNT OF EARNINGS PERMITTED WITHOUT DEDUCTIONS 
SEC. 4. (a) Paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of section 203 of the 
^2 use 403. 
Social Security Act and paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of such section 
are each amended by striking out "$50" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"$75". 
(b) Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of such section is amended by 
striking out "$50" and inserting in lieu thereof "$75". 
(c) Paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of such section is amended by 
striking out "$50" and inserting in lieu thereof "$75". 
(d) Subsections (e) and (^) of such section are each amended by 
striking out "$50" wherever it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
"$75". 
(e) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply in the case 
of monthly benefits under title I I of the Social Security Act for 
months after August 1952. The amendments made by subsection (b) 
shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under such title I I for 
months in any taxable year (of the individual entitled to such benefits) 
ending after August 1952. The amendments made by subsection (c) 
shall apply in the case of monthly benefits under such title I I for 
months in any taxable year (of the individual on the basis of whose 
wages and self-employment income such benefits are payable) ending 
after August 1952. The amendments made by subsection (d) shall 
apply in the case of taxable years ending after August 1952. As used 
in this subsection, the term "taxable year" shall have the meaning 
assigned to it by section 211 (e) of the Social Security Act. 
42 use 411. 
WAGE CREDITS FOR CERTAIN MILITARY SERVICE; REINTERMENT OF 
DECEASED VETERANS 
SEC 5. (a) Section 217 of the Social Security Act (relating to bene- 
42 use 417. 
fits in case of World War II veterans) is amended by striking out 
fT4 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 S T A T . 
'"WORLD W
A
R ii" in the heading and by adding at the end of such sec-
tion the following new subsection: 
er^".*"*^ ^°'''**' 
"(^) i^) ^^^ 
purposes of determining entitlement to and the 
amount of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment payable 
under this title on the basis of the wages and self-employment income 
of any veteran (as defined in paragraph (4)), such veteran shall be 
deemed to have been paid wages (in addition to the wages, if any, 
actually paid to him) of $160 in each month during any part of which 
he served in the active military or naval service of the United States 
on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to January 1, 1954. This subsec-
tion shall not be applicable in the case of any monthly benefit or 
lump-sum death payment if— 
"(A) a larger such benefit or payment, as the case may be, 
would be payable without its application; or 
"(B) a benefit (other than a benefit payable in a lump sum 
unless it is a commutation of, or a substitute for, periodic pay-
ments) which is based, in whole or in part, upon the active mili-
tary or naval service of such veteran on or after July 25, 1947, 
and prior to January 1, 1954, is determined by any agency or 
wholly owned instrumentality of the United States (other than 
the Veterans' Administration) to be payable by it under any 
other law of the United States or under a system established by 
such agency or instrumentality. 
The provisions of clause (B) shall not apply in the case of any monthly 
benefit or lump-sum death payment under this title if its application 
would reduce by $0.50 or less the primary insurance amount (as com-
768 "
%
^
o ^771 '^^' P^t^^ under section 215 prior to any recomputation thereof pursuant 
Post, p. 776. 
to subsection (f) of such section) of the individual on whose wages 
and self-employment income such benefit or payment is based. 
"(2) Upon application for benefits or a lump-sum death payment 
on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any veteran, 
the Federal Security Administrator shall make a decision without 
regard to clause (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection unless he 
has been notified by some other agency or instrumentality of the 
United States that, on the basis of the military or naval service of 
such veteran on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to January 1, 1954, 
a benefit described in clause (B) of paragraph (1) has been deter-
mined by such agency or instrumentality to be payable by it. If he 
has not been so notified, the Federal Security Administrator shall 
then ascertain whether some other agency or wholly owned instru-
mentality of the United States has decided that a benefit described 
in clause (B) of paragraph (1) is payable by it. If any such agency 
or instrumentality has decided, or thereafter decides, that such a 
benefit is payable by it, it shall so notify the Federal Security Admin-
istrator, and the Administrator shall certify no further benefits for 
payment or shall recompute the amount of any further benefits pay-
able, as may be required by paragraph (1) of this subsection. 
"(3) Any agency or wholly owned instrumentality of the United 
States which is authorized by any law of the United States to pay bene-
fits, or has a system of benefits which are based, in whole or in part, on 
military or naval service on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to 
January 1,1954, shall, at the request of the Federal Security Adminis-
trator, certify to him, with respect to any veteran, such information 
as the Administrator deems necessary to carry out his functions 
under paragraph (2) of this subsection. 
"Veteran". 
"^4) YoY thc purposes of this subsection, the term 'veteran' means 
any individual who served in the active military or naval service of 
the United States at any time on or after July 25, 1947, and prior to 
January 1, 1954, and who, if discharged or released therefrom, was 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 5 9 0 - J U L Y 18, 1952 
776 
so discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable 
after active service of ninety days or more or by reason of a disability 
or injury incurred or aggravated in service in line of duty; but such 
term shall not include any individual who died while in the active 
military or naval service of the United States if his death was inflicted 
(other than by an enemy of the United States) as lawful punishment 
for a military or naval offense." 
(b) Section 205 (o) of the Social Security Act (relating to credit- 
^g sfa?.'3o^7. 
ing of compensation under the Railroad Retirement Act) is amended 
4S use ch. g. 
by striking out "section 217 (a)" and inserting in lieu thereof "sub- 
"
^
^ 
'*^^' 
section (a) or (e) of section 217". 
(c) (1) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall 
apply with respect to monthly benefits under section 202 of the Social 
'*2 use 402. 
Security Act for months after August 1952, and with respect to lump-
sum death payments in the case of deaths occurring after August 
1952, except that, in the case of any individual who is entitled, on the 
basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual to 
whom section 2l7 (e) of the Social Security Act applies, to monthly 
'^"•*^' P* '^'^^^ 
benefits under such section 202 for August 1952, such amendments 
shall apply (A) only if an application for recomputation by reason 
of such amendments is filed by such individual, or any other individ-
ual, entitled to benefits under such section 202 on the basis of such 
wages and self-employment income, and (B) only wdth respect to such 
benefits for months after whichever of the following is the later: 
August 1952 or the seventh month before the month in which such 
application was filed. Recomputations of benefits as required to carry 
out the provisions of this paragraph shall be made notwithstanding 
the provisions of section 215 (f) (1) of the Social Security Act; but no 
'^^ ^^^ '^^^' 
such recomputation shall be regarded as a recomputation for pur-
poses of section 215 (f) of such Act. 
^''**' P- '^'^^• 
(2) In the case of any veteran (as defined in section 217 (e) (4) of 
the Social Security Act) who died prior to September 1952, the 
'^"**' P- ^73. 
requirement in subsections (f) and (h) of section 202 of the Social 
Security Act that proof of support be filed within two years of the 
date of such death shall not apply if such proof is filed prior to 
September 1954. 
(d) (1) Paragraph (1) of section 217 (a) of such Act is amended 
by striking out "a system established by such agency or instrumen-
tality." in clause (B) and inserting in lieu thereof: 
"a system established by such agency or instrumentality. 
The provisions of clause (B) shall not apply in the case of any monthly 
benefit or lump-sum death payment under this title if its application 
would reduce by $0.50 or less the primary insurance amount (as com-
puted under section 215 prior to any recomputation thereof pursuant 
to subsection (f) of such section) of the individual on whose wages and 
self-employment income such benefit or payment is based." 
(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) of this subsection 
shall apply only in the case of applications for benefits under section 
202 of the Social Security Act filed after August 1952. 
(e) (1) Section 101 (d) of the Social Security Act Amendments 
of 1950 is amended by changing the period at the end thereof to a 
42^c'402*note. 
comma and adding: "and except that in the case of any individual 
who died outside the forty-eight States and the District of Columbia 
on or after June 25, 1950, and prior to September 1950, whose death 
occurred while he was in the active military or naval service of the 
United States, and who is returned to any of such States, the District 
of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands for 
interment or reinterment, the last sentence of section 202 (g) of the 
Social Security Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this Act shall 
776 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 STAT. 
not prevent payment to any person under the second sentence thereof 
if application for a lump-sum death payment under such section with 
respect to such deceased individual is filed by or on behalf of such per-
son (whether or not legally competent) prior to the expiration of two 
years after the date of such interment or reinterment." 
(2) In the case of any individual who died outside the forty-eight 
States and the District of Columbia after August 1950 and prior to 
January 1954, whose death occurred while he was in the active military 
or naval service of the United States, and who is returned to any of 
such States, the District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, 
or the Virgin Islands for interment or reinterment, the last sentence 
42 use 402. 
of section 202 (i) of the Social Security Act shall not prevent pay-
ment to any person under the second sentence thereof if application for 
a lump-sum death payment with respect to such deceased individual is 
filed under such section by or on behalf of such person (whether or not 
legally competent) prior to the expiration of two years after the date 
of such interment or reinterment. 
TECHNICAL PROVISIONS 
42 use 415. 
SEC. 6. (a) Section 215 (f) (2) of the Social Security Act (relating 
to recomputation of benefits) is amended to read as follows: 
"(2) (A) Upon application by an individual entitled to old-age 
insurance benefits, the Administrator shall recompute his primary 
insurance amount if application therefor is filed after the twelfth 
month for which deductions under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 
Ante. p. 773. 
203 (b) have been imposed (within a period of thirty-six months) with 
respect to such benefit, not taking into account any month prior to 
September 1950 or prior to the earliest month for which the last 
previous computation of his primary insurance amount was effective, 
and if not less than six of the quarters elapsing after 1950 and prior 
,5* 
to the quarter in which he filed such application are quarters of 
coverage. 
"(B) Upon application by an individual who, in or before the month 
of filing of such application, attained the age of 75 and who is entitled 
to old-age insurance benefits for which the primary insurance amount 
was computed under subsection (a) (3) of this section, the Adminis-
trator shall recompute his primary insurance amount if not less than 
six of the quarters elapsing after 1950 and prior to the quarter in 
which he filed application for such recomputation are quarters of 
coverage. 
"(C) A recomputation under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this 
Ante, p. 768. 
paragraph shall be made only as provided in subsection (a) (1) 
and shall take into account only such wages and self-employment 
income as would be taken into account under subsection (b) if the 
month in which application for recomputation is filed were deemed 
to be the month in which the individual became entitled to old-age 
insurance benefits. 
Such recomputation shall be effective for and after 
the month in which such application for recomputation is filed." 
(b) Section 215 (f) of the Social Security Act is further amended 
by renumbering paragraph (5) as paragraph (6) and by inserting 
' • 
after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph: 
"(5) In the case of any individual who became entitled to old-age 
insurance benefits in 1952 or in a taxable year which began in 1952 
42 use 402. 
(and without the application of section 202 (j) (1)), or who died in 
1952 or in a taxable year which began in 1952 but did not become 
entitled to such benefits prior to 1952, and who had self-employment 
income for a taxable year which ended within or with 1952 or which 
began in 1952, then upon application filed after the close of such 
taxable year by such individual or (if he died without filing such 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 5 9 0 - J U L Y 18, 1952 
777 
application) by a person entitled to monthly benefits on the basis of 
such individual's wages and self-employment income, the Admini-
strator shall recompute such individual's primary insurance amount. 
Such recomputation shall be made in the manner provided in the pre-
ceding subsections of this section (other than subsection (b) (4) (A)) 
Ante, p. 771. 
for computation of such amount, except that (A) the self-employment 
income closing date shall be the day following the quarter with or 
within which such taxable year ended, and (B) the self-employment 
income for any subsequent taxable year shall not be taken into account. 
Such recomputation shall be effective (A) in the case of an application 
filed by such individual, for and after the first month in which he 
became entitled to old-age insurance benefits, and (B) in the case 
of an application filed by any other person, for and after the month 
in which such person who filed such application for recomputation 
became entitled to such monthly benefits. 
No recomputation under 
this paragraph pursuant to an application filed after such individual's 
death shall affect the amount of the lump-sum death payment under 
subsection (i) of section 202, and no such recomputation shall render 
^2 use 402. 
erroneous any such payment certified by the Administrator prior to 
the effective date of the recomputation." 
(c) In the case of an individual who died or became (without the 
application of section 202 (j) (1) of the Social Security Act) entitled 
to old-age insurance benefits in 1952 and with respect to whom not less 
than six of the quarters elapsing after 1950 and prior to the quarter 
following the quarter in which he died or became entitled to old-age 
insurance benefits, whichever first occurred, are quarters of coverage, 
his wage closing date shall be the first day of such quarter of death or 
entitlement instead of the day specified in section 215 (b) (3) of 
such Act, but only if it would result in a higher primary insurance 
amount for such individual. The terms used in this paragraph shall 
have the same meaning as when used in title I I of the Social Security 
A c t . 
Ante. p. 772. 
(d) (X) Section 1 (q) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, as 
If st^at,. 683^ 
amended, is amended by striking out "1950" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "1952". 
(2) Section 5 (i) (1) (ii) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, 
fo sm. 729^ 
as amended, is amended to read as follows: 
"(ii) will have rendered service for wages as determined under 
section 209 of the Social Security Act, without regard to subsec- 
42 use 409. 
tion (a) thereof, of more than $75, or will have been charged 
under section 203 (e) of that Act with net earnings from self- 
^'*'*' P- 773. 
employment of more than $75;". 
(3) Section 5 (1) (6) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, as 
es ftgat^-18|^ 
amended, is amencied by inserting "or (e)" after "section 217 (a)". 
(e) In case the benefit of any individual for any month after August 
1952 is computed under section 2 (c) (2) (A) of this Act through 
use of a benefit (after the application of sections 203 and 215 (g) of 
^2*us5'403%i5. 
the Social Security Act as in effect prior to the enactment of this 
Act) for August 1952 which could have been derived from either of 
two (and not more than two) primary insurance amounts, and such 
primary insurance amounts diner from each other by not more than 
|0.10, then the benefit of such individual for such month of August 
1952 shall, for the purposes of the last sentence of such section 2 (c) 
(2) (A), be deemed to have been derived from the larger of such two 
primary insurance amounts. 
t t S 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 STAT. 
EARNED INCOME OF BLIND RECIPIENTS 
42 u s e 
1308. 
SEC. 7. Effective as of July 1, 1952, title X I of the Social Security 
Act (relating to general provisions) is amended by adding at the end 
thereof the following new section: 
EARNED INCOME OF BLIND RECIPIENTS 
"SEC. 1109. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 2 (a) (7), 
i202y!352?'^' ^°''' ^ ^ (^) C'')' 1^^^ (^) (^)' ^^^ 1^^2 (^) (^)' ^ S*^t^ Pl^^ approved 
under title I, IV, X, or XIV may until June 30, 1954, and thereafter 
shall provide that where earned income has been disregarded in deter-
mining the need of an individual receiving aid to the blind under a 
State plan approved under title X, the earned income so disregarded 
(but not in excess of the amount specified in section 1002 (a) (8)) 
shall not be taken into consideration in determining the need of any 
other individual for assistance under a State plan approved under 
title I, IV, X, or XIV." 
42 use 303. 
SEC. 8. (a) Section 3 (a) of the Social Security Act is amended to 
read as follows: 
sjP^yments to 
"SEC. 3. (a) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary of 
the Treasury shall pay to each State which has an approved plan for 
old-age assistance, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter com-
mencing October 1,1952, (1) in the case of any State other than Puerto 
Kico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, which shall be used exclusively 
as old-age assistance, equal to the sum of the following proportions of 
the total amounts expended during such quarter as old-age assistance 
under the State plan, not counting so much of such expenditure with 
respect to any individual for any month as exceeds $55— 
"(A) four-fifths of such expenditures, not counting so much 
of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds the 
product of $25 multiplied by the total number of such individuals 
who received old-age assistance for such month; plus 
"(B) one-half of the amount by which such expenditures 
exceed the maximum which may be counted under clause ( A ) ; 
and (2) in the case of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, 
which shall be used exclusively as old-age assistance, equal to one-half 
of the total of the sums expended during such quarter as old-age assist-
ance under the State plan, not counting so much of such expenditure 
with respect to any individual for any month as exceeds $30, and (3) 
in the case of any State, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the 
sums expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Adminis-
trator for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan, 
which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the 
State plan or for old-age assistance, or both, and for no other purpose." 
42 use 603. 
(b) Section 403 (a) of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 403. (a) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary 
of the Treasury shall pay to each State which has an approved plan 
for aid to dependent children, for each quarter, beginning with the 
quarter commencing October 1,1952, (1) in the case of any State other 
than Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, which shall be 
used exclusively as aid to dependent children, equal to the sum of the 
following proportions of the total amounts expended during such 
quarter as aid to dependent children under the State plan, not counting 
so much of such expenditure with respect to any dependent child for 
any month as exceeds $30, or if there is more than one dependent child 
in the same home, as exceeds $30 with respect to one such dependent 
child and $21 with respect to each of the other dependent children, 
.and not counting so much of such expenditure for any month with 
66 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 590-JULY 18, 1952 
779 
respect to a relative with whom any dependent child is living as 
exceeds $30— 
" (A) four-fifths of such expenditures, not counting so much of 
the expenditures with respect to any month as exceeds the product 
of $15 multiplied by the total number of dependent children and 
other individuals with respect to whom aid to dependent children 
is paid for such month, plus 
"(B) one-half of the amount by which such expenditures 
exceed the maximum which may be counted under clause ( A ) ; 
and (2) in the case of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, 
which shall be used exclusively as aid to dependent children, equal to 
one-half of the total of the sums expended during such quarter as aid 
to dependent children under the State plan, not counting so much of 
such expenditure with respect to any dependent child for any month 
as exceeds $18, or if there is more than one dependent child in the same 
home, as exceeds $18 with respect to one such dependent child and $12 
with respect to each of the other dependent children; and (3) in the 
case of any State, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the sums 
expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Administrator 
for the proper and efficient administration of the State plan, which 
amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State 
plan or for aid to dependent children, or both, and for no other 
purpose." 
(c) Section 1003 (a) of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
^^ use 1203. 
"SEC. 1003. (a) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secretary 
of the Treasury shall pay to each State which has an approved plan 
for aid to the blind, for each quarter, beginning with the quarter com-
mencing October 1,1952, (1) in the case of any State other than Puerto 
Rico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, which shall be used exclusively 
as aid to the blind, equal to the sum of the following proportions of 
the total amounts expended during such quarter as aid to the blind 
under the State plan, not counting so much of such expenditure with 
respect to any individual for any month as exceeds $55— 
"(A) four-fifths of such expenditures, not counting so much 
of any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds the 
product of $25 multiplied by the total number of such individuals 
who received aid to the blind for such month, plus 
"(B) one-half of the amount by which such expenditures exceed 
the maximum which may be counted under clause (A); 
and (2) in the case of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, 
which shall be used exclusively as aid to the blind, equal to one-half of 
the total of the sums expended during such quarter as aid to the blind 
under the State plan, not counting so much of such expenditure with 
respect to any individual for any month as exceeds $30; and (3) in 
the case of any State, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the 
sums expended during such quarter as found necessary by the Admin-
istrator for the proper and efficient administration oi the State plan, 
which amount shall be used for paying the costs of administering the 
State plan or for aid to the blind, or both, and for no other purpose." 
(d) Section 1403 (a) of such Act is amended to read as follows: 
^2 use 1353. 
"SEC. 1403. (a) From the sums appropriated therefor, the Secre-
tary of the Treasury shall pay to each State which has an approved 
plan for aid to the permanently and totally disabled, for each quarter, 
beginning with the quarter commencing October 1, 1952, (1) in the 
case of any State other than Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, an 
amount, which shall be used exclusively as aid to the permanently and 
totally disabled, equal to the sum of the following proportions of the 
total amounts expended during such quarter as aid to the permanently 
and totally disabled under the State plan, not counting so much of 
7 ^ 
PUBLIC I^AW 59l-JULY 18, 1952 
[66 STAT. 
such expenditure with respect to any individual for any month as 
exceeds $55— 
" (A) four-fifths of such expenditures, not counting so much of 
any expenditure with respect to any month as exceeds the product 
of $25 multiplied by the total number of such individuals who 
received aid to the permanently and totally disabled for such 
month, plus 
"(B) one-half of the amount by which such expenditures 
exceed the maximum which may be counted under clause (A) ; 
and (2) in the case of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, an amount, 
M^hich shall be used exclusively as aid to the permanently and totally 
disabled, equal to one-half of the total of the sums expended during 
such quarter as aid to the permanently and totally disabled under the 
State plan, not counting so much of such expenditure with respect to 
any individual for any month as exceeds $30; and (3) in the case of any 
State, an amount equal to one-half of the total of the sums expended 
during such quarter as found necessary by the Administrator for the 
proper and efficient administration of the State plan, which amount 
shall be used for paying the costs of administering the State plan or 
for aid to the permanently and totally disabled, or both, and for no 
other purpose." 
(e) The amendments made by this section shall be effective for the 
period beginning October 1, 1952, and ending with the close of Sep-
tember 30, 1954, and after such amendments cease to be in effect any 
provision of law amended thereby shall be in full force and effect as 
though this Act had not been enacted. 
Approved July 18, 1952. 
Public Law 591 
CHAPTER 946 
July 18, 1952 
^ ^ ACT 
[S- 3333] 
rp^ ygg^. ^j^jg .jj |.jjg United States to certain lands and interests in lands of the 
Shoshone and Arapaho Indian Tribes of the Wind River Reservation and to 
provide compensation therefor and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
Arl^aho*indilnt!"* ?7m^e<i States of America in Congress assembled^ That the Secretary 
Boysen Unit. 
of the Interior is authorized, for a reasonable consideration not to 
exceed $458,000, to be paid from funds appropriated for the Missouri 
River Basin project, to convev and relinquish to the United States of 
America the property and riglits of the Shoshone and of the Arapaho 
Indian Tribes needed by the United States for the construction and 
operation and maintenance of the Boysen Unit of the Missouri River 
Basin project. 
Action heretofore taken by the Secretary of the Inte-
rior in granting rights-of-way over Indian lands for the establishment 
or the relocation of roads, highways, and railroads, and telegraph, 
telephone, power transmission and pipelines in connection with the 
construction of the Boysen Unit of the Missouri River Basin project 
is hereby confirmed. 
SEC. 2. The conveyances and relinquishments shall be, in all things, 
in accord with the memorandum of understanding between the Bureau 
of ^Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs as approved by the 
Secretary of the Interior on December 29, 1951, and as amended with 
his approval on May 1,1952. 
SEC. 3. The moneys to be paid to the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes 
hereunder shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States of