How Social Security retirement benefits are estimated
Social Security generally indexes covered earnings, uses up to your highest 35 years to calculate AIME, and applies bend points from the year you first become eligible—normally the year you turn 62—to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount. Claiming before full retirement age reduces that amount by month; delaying can earn credits through age 70.
The calculator estimates AIME from your average covered earnings and up to 35 working years, then applies bend points from the year you turn 62. A known AIME can replace that estimate. An optional full-retirement-age estimate from your my Social Security account can calibrate the base benefit without replacing the calculator’s claiming, work, tax, and lifetime comparisons.
For an official calculation based on your complete indexed earnings record, use SSA calculators.
Claiming, working, taxes, and household planning
The claiming-age table and charts expose the trade-off between a smaller benefit for more years and a larger benefit after waiting. Break-even outcomes depend on longevity, COLAs, work, taxes, spouse or survivor benefits, and how retirement savings such as a 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, stocks, bonds, and ETFs bridge the waiting period.
The 2026 earnings test may temporarily withhold benefits before full retirement age. Withheld benefits are not simply lost: SSA later recalculates the benefit. Federal tax results here are simplified; up to 85% of benefits can be included in taxable income. Verify spouse, survivor, disability, government-pension, and earnings-record details directly with SSA.
Your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings, converted to an AIME, then processed through a formula that replaces a higher percentage of lower earners' income.
When should I claim Social Security?
You can claim as early as 62 with a permanent reduction or delay through age 70 for delayed retirement credits. The best age depends on longevity, work, taxes, spouse and survivor benefits, and how retirement savings cover the waiting period.
What is the full retirement age?
Full retirement age (FRA) is 66 for those born 1943–1954, gradually increasing to 67 for those born 1960 or later. Claiming at FRA gives you 100% of your calculated benefit.
Is Social Security income taxable?
Up to 85% of benefits can be included in federal taxable income. The calculation uses provisional income, filing status, and two threshold levels; the calculator provides a simplified estimate and does not cover state taxes.
Which bend points does the detailed calculation use?
It uses the bend points for the year you first become eligible for retirement benefits, normally the year you turn 62. It does not use the year you happen to run the calculator.
Results use 2026 retirement earnings-test limits and current-law claiming adjustments.
Monthly benefit by claiming age
Cumulative benefits by strategy
Claiming-age comparison