Social Security benefits calculator
Estimate your US Social Security retirement benefit from lifetime earnings and the age you claim.
About the social security benefits calculator
Estimate your US Social Security retirement benefit from lifetime earnings and the age you claim.
Part of SmartCalcy’s retirement tools. It runs in your browser with no account, uses your own currency and units (change them at the top of the page), and gives estimates for information only, so check official guidance before you rely on a result.
How to use the social security benefits calculator
What it calculates and when to use it
Estimates a US Social Security retirement benefit from your average earnings and the age at which you start claiming, and shows how claiming early or late changes it.
How to use it, step by step
- Enter your average yearly earnings and the years you worked.
- Enter your birth year, which sets your full retirement age.
- Enter the age you plan to claim, from 62 to 70.
What each input means
- Average yearly earnings – Inflation-adjusted earnings averaged over working years.
- Years worked – Up to 35 years count. Fewer years add zero-earning years.
- Claiming age – 62 to 70.
How to read the results
- Monthly benefit – The estimated payment at your claiming age.
- Full retirement age benefit (PIA) – The benefit if you claim at your full retirement age.
- Claiming age table – The monthly and yearly benefit at different ages.
The formula
AIME = yearly earnings × min(years, 35) ÷ 35 ÷ 12. PIA = 90% of AIME up to 1,286 + 32% from 1,286 to 7,749 + 15% above 7,749 (2026 bend points). Claiming early reduces it by 5/9 of 1% a month for 36 months and 5/12 of 1% beyond. Delaying past full retirement age adds 2/3 of 1% a month, up to age 70.
A worked example
Average earnings of 70,000 over 35 years give an AIME of 5,833 and a PIA of 2,612 a month. Claiming at 62 pays about 1,829 a month and waiting until 70 pays about 3,239.
Assumptions and limits
- Earnings are already indexed. The real calculation indexes your 35 highest years.
- No cost-of-living adjustments, taxes or Medicare premiums.
- Your actual benefit may differ; use your my Social Security account.
Common mistakes
- Assuming each year of lower earnings has no effect. Missing years count as zero.
- Claiming early without considering the permanent reduction.
Frequently asked questions
What is full retirement age?
67 for people born in 1960 or later, and 66 to 66 and 10 months for those born between 1954 and 1959.
Should I delay?
It depends on health, other income and whether you are married. Delay raises the payment for life but you receive it for fewer years.
Dated rules: US federal figures for tax year 2026 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and IRS notices). These calculators are estimates for planning, not tax advice.
Related tools
Details
- Average indexed monthly earnings
- £5,833
- Benefit at full retirement age
- £2,612age 67
- Claiming adjustment
- 0%
By claiming age
| Age | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | £1,829 | £21,944 |
| 64 | £2,090 | £25,079 |
| 66 | £2,438 | £29,259 |
| 67 | £2,612 | £31,349 |
| 68 | £2,821 | £33,857 |
| 70 | £3,239 | £38,873 |