Estimate your monthly Social Security benefit at different retirement ages
✓ Updated for 2026 SSA bend points
Your Earnings Details
$
Estimated Monthly Benefit
Estimated Benefit at Age 67
—
Benefit at Age 62 (reduced)—
Benefit at Full Retirement Age—
Benefit at Age 70 (maximum)—
Annual Benefit (at chosen age)—
Lifetime Total (to age 85)—
This is a rough estimate. For your actual benefit, create a free account at ssa.gov/myaccount to see your full earnings history and projected benefit.
How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated
Your Social Security benefit is based on your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings. The Social Security Administration calculates your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), then applies a progressive formula to arrive at your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the benefit you'd receive at your Full Retirement Age.
The Age 62 vs 70 Decision
You can claim as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Each year you wait past 62 increases your benefit significantly. Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by up to 30% compared to FRA. Delaying past FRA earns "delayed retirement credits" of 8% per year until age 70 — a guaranteed, inflation-protected 8% return on waiting.
Break-Even Analysis
If you claim at 62 vs 67, you receive 5 extra years of payments — but each payment is smaller. The break-even age (when total lifetime benefits equalize) is typically around age 79–80. If you expect to live past 80, delaying is financially advantageous. If you have health concerns or financial need, claiming early may make more sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work and still collect Social Security? ▼
Yes, but if you're under Full Retirement Age, benefits are temporarily reduced if you earn above the annual limit ($24,480 in 2026). For every $2 earned above this, $1 in benefits is withheld. Once you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit — you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit. The withheld benefits are not lost; they're added back to your benefit calculation after FRA.
How does Social Security work for married couples? ▼
Spouses are entitled to up to 50% of their partner's Social Security benefit at FRA, if that's higher than their own earned benefit. After a spouse dies, the surviving spouse can claim the deceased's full benefit amount. This spousal benefit strategy is important for couples with a large earnings difference — the higher earner delaying to 70 can significantly increase lifetime household benefits.