A certain Social Security recipient will receive an annual benefit of $12,000 provided he has annual earnings of $9,360 or less, but the benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $3 of annual earnings over $9,360. What amount of total annual earnings would result in a 45 percent reduction in the recipient's annual Social Security benefit? (Assume Social Security benefits are not counted as part of annual earnings.)
Choose the correct option
A) $15,360  B) $17,360  C) $18,000  D) $21,360  E) $29,160
For every $3 earn above $9360, the recipient loses $1 of benefit.   OR   For every $1 loss in the benefit, the recipient earns $3 above $9360   If earning is; 9360+3x   Benefit = 12000-x   Or the vice versa   If benefit is 12000-x, the earning becomes 9360+3x   He lost 50% of the benefit;   Benefit Received= 12000-0.45*12000 = 12000-5400= 
<gadget id="calculator">12000-5400</gadget>
<output>6_600</output>
6600   $29,160arning becomes 9360+3x=9360+3*6600= 
<gadget id="calculator">9360+3*6600</gadget>
<output>29_160</output>
29160   Ans:$29,160
<result>E</result>
A certain Social Security recipient will receive an annual benefit of $12,000 provided he has annual earnings of $9,360 or less, but the benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $3 of annual earnings over $9,360. What amount of total annual earnings would result in a 45 percent reduction in the recipient's annual Social Security benefit? (Assume Social Security benefits are not counted as part of annual earnings.)