Social Security Estimate
Social Security Calculator
Compare monthly benefits at 62, FRA, and 70 with auto-matched bend points.
Updated October 5, 2026Estimated Monthly Benefit
at age 67
Assumptions applied
For a $75,000 salary with 35 years of SS-covered work, your estimated monthly benefits: $1,567 at age 62 (early), $2,238 at FRA, or $2,775 at age 70 (delayed). Waiting longer raises your monthly check; the right call depends on your life expectancy and need for income now.
Typical scenario — enter your details above for your personalized estimate.
Eligibility year — · Bend points — / — · SSA source
Includes the 4 cost-of-living adjustments SSA announced from December 2022 through December 2025 (8.7%, 3.2%, 2.5%, 2.8%), which apply from the year you turn 62. The estimate is in 2026 dollars; future COLAs are not projected.
Eligibility year beyond published SSA data — using the latest available bend points and wage base as estimates (2027–2028 wage bases are projections; later years use the 2026 published base).
Not Affiliated with SSA — Estimates Only: This calculator is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. "Social Security" is a registered trademark of the SSA. Your actual benefits depend on your full 35-year earnings history, future COLA adjustments, and other provisions not modeled here. For your official estimate, visit ssa.gov/myaccount.
Methodology note: Because the calculator only asks for your current salary, it estimates your career-average earnings as 65% of the salary you enter (reflecting lower early-career pay). It models a career from the year you turn 22 to the year before your full retirement age, caps each year at that year’s Social Security wage base, indexes earlier years to national wage growth the way SSA does, and averages your highest 35 years, counting zeros if you worked fewer than 35. It then adds the cost-of-living adjustments SSA has announced since the year you turn 62. Every figure shown — monthly benefits, lifetime totals, and break-even age — scales with that assumption. If your real earnings history differs substantially, your SSA estimate will too.
Updated October 5, 2026: Estimates now index your modeled earnings to national wage growth, as SSA does, instead of treating the wage base for the year you turn 62 as your career average. Only people whose modeled earnings reach the wage base in some year of their career see a different figure. For nearly all of them the estimate goes down, typically by about 2%. For a worker born in 1959 who earned the taxable maximum every year, the estimate at full retirement age is now $4,152 a month, the maximum SSA publishes for 2026 (it was about $4,234).
Updated September 25, 2026: Estimates now include the cost-of-living adjustments SSA has already announced since the year you turn 62, so someone who turned 62 in 2021, for example, sees those five COLAs added. They also cap your estimated career average at the wage base, rather than capping your salary first, so high earners are no longer under-estimated. For people who turned 62 before 2026, or who earn well above the wage base, results are higher than before. For a worker born in 1959 who earned the taxable maximum every year, the estimate at full retirement age is now about $4,234 a month. SSA’s published maximum is $4,152 for 2026; the remaining gap comes from the simplified earnings history.
Claim at 62
$0
-30% reduction
Claim at FRA (67)
$0
Full benefit (PIA)
Claim at 70
$0
+24% increase
| Claiming Age | Monthly Benefit | Lifetime Total |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | $0 | $0 |
| FRA (67) | $0 | $0 |
| 70 | $0 | $0 |
Nominal dollars, not discounted. These lifetime totals add up monthly benefits at face value; they are not adjusted for the time value of money. Because early benefits arrive years sooner than delayed ones, applying any positive real discount rate pushes the break-even age later than shown — often by several years. Treat the figure as a benchmark, not a decision rule.
Federal taxation only. 8 states still tax Social Security; Medicare premiums and IRMAA surcharges are not modeled.
Important Disclosures (5) Tap to read accuracy, SSA, state-tax, COLA, and spousal/survivor notices
Benefit Accuracy Notice
This calculator automatically selects the SSA bend points for your eligibility year (the year you turn 62), using published data from 1979-2026. It applies a simplified PIA formula based on your self-reported earnings, then adds the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) SSA has already announced since the year you turned 62. Your actual benefit amount may differ significantly because: (1) SSA uses your actual indexed earnings for all 35 highest-earning years, not estimates; (2) future COLAs are announced each year and cannot be predicted; (3) WEP and GPO were repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act (Dec. 2024), but earnings tests and other provisions are not modeled here; (4) benefit taxation thresholds ($25,000 single / $32,000 joint) may change. For eligibility years beyond 2026, the calculator uses the latest published bend points as estimates. Only the SSA can provide your official benefit estimate. Visit my Social Security at ssa.gov for your personalized statement.
SSA Non-Affiliation Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA). "Social Security" is a registered trademark of the SSA. Results are not financial or legal advice and may differ substantially from actual benefits. Consult the SSA or a qualified financial professional before making retirement or claiming decisions. See our Terms of Use for full details.
State Tax Variation Notice
Social Security benefits may be subject to state income tax in 8 states (as of 2026). This calculator does not account for state-level taxation of benefits. States that currently tax Social Security include Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska eliminated state taxation of Social Security benefits in 2024; West Virginia fully phased out its Social Security tax in 2026. State rules, exemptions, and thresholds vary significantly. Consult your state's tax authority or a qualified tax professional for state-specific guidance.
COLA Notice
Social Security benefits receive annual Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer Price Index. Once you turn 62, your benefit base receives every COLA from that December on, whether or not you have claimed. This calculator applies the COLAs SSA has already announced, through the 2.8% COLA for 2026, so estimates are in 2026 dollars. If you turn 62 in 2026 or later, no COLA applies yet. It cannot predict future COLA adjustments, which are announced each October by the SSA. Your actual future benefits may differ from these estimates due to COLA changes. Visit ssa.gov/cola for the latest COLA information.
Spouse / Survivor Notice
This calculator estimates benefits based on your individual earnings record only. It does not account for spousal benefits, survivor benefits, divorced spouse benefits, or dependent benefits. Spousal benefits can be up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse's PIA. Survivor benefits can be up to 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit. These strategies can significantly affect your optimal claiming age and total lifetime benefits. Visit ssa.gov/survivors for details, or consult a qualified financial professional for personalized claiming strategies.
Understanding Social Security Benefits
Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)
Your PIA is calculated from your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) using a progressive formula. The bend points vary by your eligibility year (the year you turn 62). The formula applies:
- 90% of AIME up to the first bend point
- 32% of AIME between the first and second bend points
- 15% of AIME above the second bend point
This calculator automatically uses the correct bend points for your birth year, covering SSA data from 1979 through 2026.
Full Retirement Age (FRA)
FRA depends on your birth year:
- 1943-1954: 66 years
- 1955: 66 years, 2 months
- 1956: 66 years, 4 months
- 1957: 66 years, 6 months
- 1958: 66 years, 8 months
- 1959: 66 years, 10 months
- 1960+: 67 years
Early vs. Delayed Claiming
Early (62 to FRA): Benefits reduced permanently:
- 5/9 of 1% per month for first 36 months
- 5/12 of 1% per month beyond 36 months
- Maximum ~30% reduction at 62 (if FRA is 67)
Delayed (FRA to 70): Benefits increased by 8% per year up to age 70.
When to Claim?
The optimal claiming age depends on:
- Health: Earlier if poor health, later if good
- Finances: Earlier if needed, later if you can wait
- Spouse: Spousal benefits can affect strategy
- Work: Earnings test reduces benefits if working before FRA
Consider consulting a financial advisor for personalized guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Claiming at 62 gives you benefits sooner but at a permanently reduced rate — about 30% less than your full retirement age (FRA) benefit. Waiting until 67 (or your FRA) gives you 100% of your benefit. The break-even age is typically around 78-80: if you live past that age, waiting until FRA pays more in total lifetime benefits. Use this calculator to see your exact break-even point and compare total benefits at each claiming age.
Your benefit is based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), calculated from your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). SSA takes your 35 highest-earning years, indexes them for wage growth, averages them, and applies a progressive formula with "bend points." The bend points change each year and are specific to your eligibility year (the year you turn 62). The formula applies 90% to AIME up to the first bend point, 32% to AIME between the two bend points, and 15% to AIME above the second bend point.
FRA is when you can receive your full (unreduced) Social Security benefit. It's 66 for those born 1943-1954, gradually increases to 67 for those born 1955-1959, and is 67 for those born 1960 or later. Your PIA is your benefit at FRA.
Claiming at 62 permanently reduces your benefit. The reduction is 5/9 of 1% per month for up to 36 months early, plus 5/12 of 1% for each additional month. For someone with FRA of 67, claiming at 62 (60 months early) results in a 30% reduction.
Delaying benefits past FRA earns Delayed Retirement Credits of 8% per year. If your FRA is 67, delaying until 70 increases your benefit by 24%. Benefits don't increase after age 70.
The break-even age is when total lifetime benefits from delayed claiming equal total benefits from early claiming. This typically occurs in the late 70s to early 80s. If you live past the break-even age, delayed claiming provides more total lifetime income in nominal (undiscounted) dollars — adjusting for the time value of money pushes the break-even age later.
The SSA publishes new bend points each year based on changes in the national average wage index. Your PIA is calculated using the bend points for your eligibility year — the year you turn 62. For example, someone born in 1964 uses 2026 bend points ($1,286 / $7,749), while someone born in 1960 uses 2022 bend points ($1,024 / $6,172). This calculator automatically selects the correct bend points based on your birth year, using published SSA data from 1979 through 2026.
Up to 85% of benefits may be federally taxable depending on your "combined income" (AGI + nontaxable interest + 50% of SS benefits). For single filers: 0% taxable below $25,000, up to 50% taxable from $25,000-$34,000, up to 85% taxable above $34,000. For married filing jointly: thresholds are $32,000 and $44,000.
This calculator uses a simplified estimation method. Your actual benefit depends on your complete 35-year earnings history, which only SSA has. Note: The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) were repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act (signed January 5, 2025), so these provisions no longer reduce benefits. However, this calculator still does not model earnings tests, divorced spouse benefits, or other special provisions. For accurate estimates, create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount.
The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) passed the Senate in a vote held just after midnight on December 21, 2024 (the Congressional Record lists it under December 20), and was signed into law on January 5, 2025. It repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions that had reduced Social Security benefits for workers who also received pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security (such as certain state, local, and federal employees). The repeal is effective retroactively for benefits payable after December 2023. If you previously had your benefits reduced by WEP or GPO, the SSA will recalculate your benefit amount. Visit the SSA's Social Security Fairness Act page for details on implementation and retroactive payments.
Related Guides
Related Retirement Calculators
Official Sources
- Social Security Administration: Bend Points — Official PIA formula bend points by eligibility year.
- SSA: Full Retirement Age — FRA tables by birth year.
- SSA: Delayed Retirement Credits — How delaying increases benefits.
- IRS Publication 915 — Social Security and Railroad Retirement Benefits taxation.
- SSA: Social Security Fairness Act — WEP/GPO repeal details and implementation.
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