MMM, as invited, I'll chime in -but the knowledge isn't as high as some here...
From a ezi-flash tune, my guage sits fairly flat on 16psi. I have been assured that this is no problem... Without the tune, but stock except a couple of cheap mufflers, I experienced boost spikes as high as 20 psi. As I understand any prolonged boost above 18 psi without a tune will invoke the 'fuel defender' (at least that was what it was called on the 96 wrx I had) and cut the fuel to save the engine.
Now if you tune the motor to have the correct timing and valve advancement, you should be able to set a higher boost without a serious risk to detonating the engine. But the caveat is serious risk...
What I am chasing, and I belive that you should chase too, is the earliest increase in boost presure and therefore power, particularly torque. My 05 manual came fairly close to 150kw (what I hoped for) at the treads on a dyno that is recognised as fair, to a bit hard on the output figure. I am assured that when I can get the exhaust valve timing working correctly ( a problem covered in the thread about surging through the rev range further down the page here) I should be able to pick up 10- 15 more kw in the top end. What chiptorque did was chase the early onset of torque. I gained 100nm more at 3400 rpm post tune, and this has dramatically changed the car's drivability.
Chase the early torque by getting the turbo to deliver as early as possible. You can do this by improving the intake temp and air flow, and the exhaust back pressure and flow... A turbo is a pump in the simplest terms...
If you like try a bigger top mount, this should help a little too, but to go any further, is to find the limit of the flow rate of the standard turbo. At that point you should look at a higher flow turbo, up and down pipes, and full exhaust system.
BUT: you can easily gain high RPM powah

but it will be at the sacrifice of the early onset of the disease called torque
You will need to make that descision for yourself.
Much respect to the twin turbo crew and the work I hear of in relation to Kosti- but Subaru went to considerable time and energy with the (at the time) new design of the small twin scroll you have.
In short, you can get more boost, at the possible sacrifice of longevity, but you said it yourself. It's a daily, you don't need a smelly mess on the side of the road, and performance increases via boost levels comes at a potential price...
You can chase a figure on the dyno, but you would be better off looking to improve drivability, and the first don't nessisarly get you the second...
Do ya feel lucky punk? ... well do ya?

Whiteline rear sway, King lows, Custom quad tip muffs, Subi sport grill, HID's, Boost guage, JL slot port 12" off the standard mac, RB3l 18's ezeflash tune 150.9kw@4w 15psi 36degC...