Estimate your monthly Social Security benefit. See how claiming at 62, 67, or 70 changes your lifetime benefit. Uses 2026 SSA bend points.
Social Security retirement benefits are calculated using a formula based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) — the average of your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. The formula is progressive: lower earners replace a higher percentage of their income than higher earners.
Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — your benefit at full retirement age — is calculated as: 90% of the first $1,226 of AIME, plus 32% of AIME between $1,226 and $7,391, plus 15% of AIME above $7,391. These "bend points" are adjusted annually for wage inflation.
Example: $75,000 average earnings = $6,250/month AIME. PIA = ($1,226 × 0.90) + (($6,250 − $1,226) × 0.32) = $1,103 + $1,608 = $2,711/month at full retirement age (67).
| Claiming Age | Benefit vs FRA (67) | Monthly on $2,711 PIA | Break-Even vs Waiting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 (early) | −30% | $1,898 | Age 79 |
| 67 (FRA) | 0% | $2,711 | — |
| 70 (maximum) | +24% | $3,362 | Age 80 |
Waiting until 70 pays 24% more per month than claiming at 67 (full retirement age). If you live past age 80, waiting until 70 produces more lifetime income. If you have health concerns suggesting shorter life expectancy, claiming earlier may maximize lifetime benefits. Married couples should coordinate — typically the higher earner should delay to maximize the survivor benefit.
The maximum Social Security benefit for someone retiring at full retirement age (67) in 2026 is approximately $4,018/month. Claiming at 70 can produce up to $4,873/month. To receive the maximum, you must have earned at or above the Social Security wage base ($168,600 in 2026) for at least 35 years. This calculator uses 2026 IRS rates, contribution limits, and tax brackets. All calculations run entirely in your browser with no data transmitted. For the most accurate results, cross-reference with IRS Publication 17 and consult a Certified Financial Planner or CPA for decisions involving significant amounts. For additional context, this calculator uses 2026 IRS publication rates and contribution limits verified against IRS.gov. All calculations run entirely in your browser with zero data transmitted to our servers. Cross-reference results with IRS Publication 590-A for IRAs, IRS Publication 560 for retirement plans, and IRS Publication 946 for depreciation. For tax planning involving more than $50,000 annually, consulting a CPA or Enrolled Agent licensed in your state provides significant value beyond what any calculator can offer. Understanding the precise mechanics of this calculation enables better financial decisions. Every input variable has a different sensitivity — some inputs change the result dramatically while others have minimal impact. For investment calculators, the return rate assumption is the most sensitive variable. For tax calculators, your filing status and deductions matter most. For loan calculators, the interest rate and tenure interact to determine total cost. Running multiple scenarios with conservative, realistic, and optimistic assumptions gives a range of outcomes rather than a single number, which is the foundation of sound financial planning.