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 55 percent reduction in the recipient's annual Social Security benefit? (Assume Social Security benefits are not counted as part of annual earnings.)
Pick one:  A) $15,360  B) $17,360  C) $25,560  D) $21,360  E) $27,360
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= 12000-0.55*12000 = 12000-6600= 
<gadget id="calculator">12000-6600</gadget>
<output>5_400</output>
5400   Earning becomes 9360+3x=9360+3*5400= 
<gadget id="calculator">9360+3*5400</gadget>
<output>25_560</output>
25560   Ans:$25,560
<result>C</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 55 percent reduction in the recipient's annual Social Security benefit? (Assume Social Security benefits are not counted as part of annual earnings.)