; (B) in the second sentence, by striking the twenty-fifth month of his entitlement refers to the first month after the twenty-fourth month of entitlement to specified benefits referred to in paragraph (2)(C) and ; and (C) in the third sentence, by striking , but not in excess of 78 such months . (b) Schedule for phase-Out of waiting period Section 226 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426 ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (j) For purposes of subsection (b) (and for purposes of section 1837(g)(1) of this Act and section 7(d)(2)(ii) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974), the term waiting period means, with respect to an individual who first becomes entitled to benefits described in subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(2), first achieves the status described in subparagraph (B) of such subsection, or first becomes entitled to specified benefits referred to in subparagraph (C) of such subsection in a month in— (1) for calendar year 2020, 18 months; (2) for calendar year 2021, 16 months; (3) for calendar year 2022, 14 months; (4) for calendar year 2023, 12 months; (5) for calendar year 2024, 10 months; (6) for calendar year 2025, 8 months; (7) for calendar year 2026, 6 months; (8) for calendar year 2027, 4 months; (9) for calendar year 2028, 2 months