Estimate your Social Security retirement benefit and compare claiming at 62, full retirement age or 70.
Cumulative benefits (with COLA)
| By age | Claim at 62 | Claim at full retirement age | Claim at 70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | $243,372.85 | $145,032.42 | $43,308.74 |
| 75 | $403,863.29 | $347,675.51 | $276,644.80 |
| 80 | $585,443.48 | $576,947.55 | $540,643.15 |
| 85 | $790,884.81 | $836,347.83 | $839,333.04 |
| 90 | $1,023,322.81 | $1,129,835.44 | $1,177,273.24 |
| 95 | $1,286,305.07 | $1,461,889.73 | $1,559,621.56 |
Uses your average earnings in today's dollars with 1340/8077 bend points (workers turning 62 in 2027). Benefits rise 3.6% from January 2027 (COLA).
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Social Security Calculator?
A Social Security calculator estimates your monthly retirement benefit from your earnings history and compares claiming at age 62, full retirement age or 70.
Turning savings into income
Near retirement, the questions change from saving to spending. The annuity payout calculator shows what a lump sum could pay, the Social Security calculator compares claiming ages, and the RMD calculator shows required withdrawals.
How to use the Social Security Calculator
- Enter your numbers. The inputs are Birth year, Average yearly earnings while working ($, today's dollars), Years worked (max 35 count), Age you plan to claim, Expected lifespan (age), Expected cost-of-living adjustment (% per year). Use today’s balances and your real contribution amounts, then test a more cautious return. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Monthly benefit at 67, and the cards below show Yearly benefit, Primary insurance amount (at full retirement age), Full retirement age. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Social Security Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Birth year | 1,975 |
|---|---|
| Average yearly earnings while working ($, today's dollars) | 80,000 |
| Years worked (max 35 count) | 35 |
| Age you plan to claim | 67 |
| Expected lifespan (age) | 88 |
| Expected cost-of-living adjustment (% per year) | 2.5 |
Results
| Monthly benefit at 67 | $2,910.53 |
|---|---|
| Yearly benefit | $34,926.40 |
| Primary insurance amount (at full retirement age) | $2,910.53 |
| Full retirement age | 67 |
| Benefit at 62 | $2,037.37 |
| Benefit at 70 | $3,609.06 |
| AIME (avg. indexed monthly earnings) | $6,666.67 |
| Total benefits to age 88 | $1,008,075.65 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Monthly benefit at 67: $2,910.53. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Social Security Calculator reports Monthly benefit at 67, yearly benefit, primary insurance amount (at full retirement age), full retirement age, benefit at 62, benefit at 70 and aime (avg. indexed monthly earnings). Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Tips for better results
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Retirement results depend on returns, inflation and contribution limits that change over time. They are projections, not promises. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is this exact?
No. It uses the 2027 bend points ($1,340 and $8,077) and the $192,300 wage cap announced by SSA in October 2026, plus a 3.6% COLA from January 2027. Your SSA statement at ssa.gov uses your actual earnings record.
What is full retirement age?
It depends on birth year: 66 for those born in 1954 or earlier, rising by two months a year to 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
When should I claim Social Security?
Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit permanently, while waiting until 70 increases it. The best age depends on your health, other income and spouse. The Social Security Calculator compares the options.
Are the contribution limits current?
The 2026 IRS limits are built in (401(k) $24,500, IRA $7,500) and can be edited in the data file.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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