Social Security Estimator
Estimate your Social Security retirement benefit based on average earnings and planned retirement age. Compare claiming at 62, 65, 67, or 70.
Use your average wages over your highest 35 earning years
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Frequently asked questions
What is Full Retirement Age (FRA) for Social Security?
Full Retirement Age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. At FRA you receive 100% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Claiming before FRA permanently reduces your benefit; claiming after FRA (up to 70) permanently increases it by 8% per year.
How is my Social Security benefit calculated?
SSA averages your 35 highest-earning years (inflation-adjusted) to get your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) applies a three-tier formula: 90% on the first $1,174 of AIME, 32% on $1,174–$7,078, and 15% above $7,078 (2025 bend points). Monthly benefit then adjusts based on when you claim vs. your FRA.
Should I claim Social Security at 62 or wait?
Claiming at 62 permanently reduces your benefit by up to 30% vs. FRA. Delaying to 70 adds 24% above FRA. The break-even for waiting from 62 to 67 is typically around age 78 — if you expect to live past 78, waiting generally pays more in lifetime benefits. Health, other income sources, and spousal benefits all factor in.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025?
The maximum Social Security benefit for someone claiming at FRA (67) in 2025 is $4,018/month. For someone who delayed to age 70 with maximum lifetime earnings, the 2025 maximum is $5,108/month. Both figures adjust annually with SSA's Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).