Social Security Benefit Calculator 2026
Estimate your Social Security retirement benefit from average career earnings using the 2026 bend points ($1,286 / $7,749 confirmed on ssa.gov): PIA at full retirement age, the amount at 62, 65, 67 or 70, replacement rate and spousal benefit.
| Average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) | — |
|---|---|
| PIA formula (2026 bend points) | — |
| Primary insurance amount (benefit at FRA) | — |
| Adjustment for claiming age | — |
| Replacement rate | — |
| At 62 / 67 / 70 | — |
| Spouse | — |
| Annual benefit | — |
In short
Social Security's 2026 formula pays 90% of the first $1,286 of average indexed monthly earnings, 32% up to $7,749 and 15% above that — the primary insurance amount at full retirement age. Average earnings of $75,000 over 35 years give roughly $2,745 a month at 67, about 44% of pay; $1,921 at 62 and $3,404 at 70. Fewer than 35 years of earnings lowers the average with zeros.
Who this is for: US workers who want a rough benefit estimate without logging into my Social Security.
How Social Security retirement benefits are calculated
- AIME: your highest 35 years of earnings (each indexed to national wage growth, capped at the taxable maximum each year) are summed and divided by 420 months.
- PIA: 90% of the first $1,286 of AIME + 32% of AIME between $1,286 and $7,749 + 15% above $7,749 (2026 bend points, for people turning 62 in 2026). The formula is deliberately progressive.
- Claiming age: the PIA is paid at full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later); reduced up to 30% at 62, increased up to 24% at 70.
- COLA: benefits rise each January with inflation once you are eligible.
- Fewer than 35 years of work means zeros in the average — working a few more years at any wage replaces them.
- Spouses can receive up to 50% of the higher earner's PIA; survivors receive the higher earner's full benefit.
- Government pensions from non-covered work used to reduce benefits (WEP/GPO); those provisions were repealed for benefits from 2024 onward.
See also: Social Security Claiming Age Calculator, RMD Calculator 2026 — Required Minimum Distribution.
Assumptions
- AIME = average annual earnings ÷ 12, scaled by years ÷ 35 when fewer than 35 years are entered; earnings capped at the 2026 taxable maximum.
- PIA = 90% / 32% / 15% at the 2026 bend points $1,286 and $7,749.
- Claiming-age factors as the SSA tables; spousal benefit = 50% of PIA at FRA if higher than the spouse's own.
Worked example
AIME $6,250 → PIA = 90% × $1,286 ($1,157.40) + 32% × $4,964 ($1,588.48) = $2,745 a month at full retirement age — a 44% replacement rate, about $32,900 a year. Claiming at 62 would pay about $1,922; at 70 about $3,404. A spouse with low earnings would receive up to $1,372 (50%).
Frequently asked questions
How much Social Security will I get if I make $100,000 a year?
Roughly $3,200 a month at full retirement age with 35 years at that level in today's dollars — about 38% of earnings; check your statement for the exact figure.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2026?
About $4,100–4,200 a month at full retirement age and $5,100–5,200 at 70 for someone who earned the taxable maximum every year.
Why does the formula pay low earners a higher percentage?
The bend points replace 90% of the first slice of earnings, 32% of the next and only 15% above — Social Security is designed to be progressive.
Do I need 35 years of work?
Benefits are computed on 35 years; fewer years means zeros are averaged in, so each extra year of work replaces a zero and raises the benefit.
Why is my SSA estimate different?
SSA indexes each year's actual earnings for wage growth and uses your best 35 years; this tool uses one average figure, so treat it as a rough guide.
Is there a maximum benefit?
Yes — someone who earned the taxable maximum every year and claims at 70 receives roughly $5,100 a month in 2026; at full retirement age about $4,150.
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