20 CFR § 404.1510 - Meaning of substantial gainful activity.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s404.1510"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 404.1510 - Meaning of substantial gainful activity."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "404.1510"
section_name: "Meaning of substantial gainful activity."
chapter_name: "SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION"
part_number: "404"
part_name: "FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE (1950-  )"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "404"
---


# 404.1510 Meaning of substantial gainful activity.

Substantial gainful activity means work that—

(a) Involves doing significant and productive physical or mental duties; and

(b) Is done (or intended) for pay or profit.

(See § 404.1572 for further details about what we mean by substantial gainful activity.)