Social Security Calculator: Estimate Your Retirement Benefit
A simplified estimate of your monthly Social Security benefit and how your claiming age changes it. Free and private.
Last updated: June 2026
Estimated benefit
- At your claiming age
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- Per year
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- At full retirement age (67)
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| Claiming age | Monthly benefit | Vs FRA |
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When to claim is the biggest decision
Social Security is the foundation of most American retirements, and the single biggest lever you control is when you claim. This Social Security calculator gives a simplified estimate of your monthly benefit and shows how claiming early at 62, on time at 67, or late at 70 changes the cheque.
The mechanics are fixed by law. Your full retirement age is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. Claim before then and your benefit is permanently reduced, by as much as 30% at 62. Wait past 67 and you earn delayed credits of about 8% a year up to 70, which can lift your benefit by 24%. The table shows the benefit at each key age so the trade-off is clear.
Because this estimate uses your current earnings as a stand-in for a full career, treat it as a ballpark and confirm the real number at my.ssa.gov. To see the whole retirement picture alongside it, use the 401k calculator, the retirement calculator and the US paycheck calculator.
Disclaimer: Social Security calculations are complex and depend on your complete 35-year earnings history. This tool shows approximate general estimates only and is not financial advice. Use my.ssa.gov for your exact figure. Full disclaimer.
How it works
Three quick steps — no account, nothing uploaded to a server.
Enter your earnings
Add your current annual earnings and age.
Choose a claiming age
Pick anywhere from 62 to 70.
See the estimate
Get your monthly benefit and how each claiming age compares.
Rates and rules on this page are verified against US Social Security Administration (SSA). Last checked July 2026.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
At what age can I claim Social Security?
You can start as early as 62, but your benefit is permanently reduced. Your full retirement age (FRA) is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. Waiting past your FRA earns delayed retirement credits of about 8% per year up to age 70, after which there is no further increase. This calculator shows the effect of each claiming age.
How much will my Social Security benefit be?
Your benefit is based on your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for wage growth, then run through a formula to get your primary insurance amount at full retirement age. This tool gives a simplified estimate from your current earnings. For your exact, personalised figure, create a free account at my.ssa.gov, which uses your real earnings record.
Is it better to claim early or wait?
Claiming at 62 gives smaller cheques for longer; waiting to 70 gives larger cheques for fewer years. The break-even age is usually around 78. If you expect to live past that, or you have other income to bridge the gap, delaying generally pays more over a lifetime. If you need the money or have health concerns, claiming earlier can make sense.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit?
For 2026, the maximum monthly benefit is roughly $4,018 at full retirement age and about $5,108 if you wait until 70, for someone who earned the taxable maximum for 35 years. Most people receive far less, with the average benefit around $1,925 a month. This calculator caps estimates near these maximums.
Why is this only an estimate?
Social Security benefits depend on your complete earnings history across decades, cost-of-living adjustments and rules that change over time. This tool uses your current earnings as a stand-in, which is a rough approximation. Always confirm with the official Social Security Administration estimate at my.ssa.gov before making decisions.
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