The base period is defined as:

Question

Options

• Athe most recent 20-calendar-month period ending before the ending of the determination year
• Bthe most recent 45-calendar-month period ending before the beginning of the determination year
• Cthe most recent 60-calendar-month period ending before the beginning of the determination year
• Dthe most recent 65-calendar-month period ending before the ending of the determination year

• A
  3% (2)
• B
  13% (9)
• C
  79% (53)
• D
  4% (3)

Explanation

Option C is correct because the base period - used in Social Security disability determinations to assess insured status - is defined by statute as the most recent 60 calendar months (5 years) ending before the beginning of the determination year, not at its end.

Why the distractors fail:

• A is wrong on both counts: it uses 20 months (far too short) and references the ending of the determination year rather than the beginning.
• B uses the correct boundary point (beginning of the determination year) but the wrong duration - 45 months instead of 60.
• D gets the duration close (65 vs. 60) but uses the wrong anchor point (ending instead of beginning of the determination year), which would shift the window forward incorrectly.

Memory tip: Think "60 = 5 years, before it begins." The base period looks back 5 full years from the start of the year in question - it never overlaps into the determination year itself. If you remember "5 years back, before the year starts," you can immediately eliminate any choice with a different month count or the wrong anchor point.

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