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Social Security Calculator 2026: Estimate Your Benefits
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Social Security Calculator 2026: Estimate Your Benefits
Estimate your monthly Social Security retirement benefit using your age, income and when you want to retire.
Use this Social Security benefits calculator to estimate your retirement benefits based on your age, earnings and retirement date.
Use this Social Security benefits calculator to estimate your retirement benefits based on your age, earnings and retirement date.Calculating your Social Security retirement benefit — a crucial source of income for many retirees — can be an important step in choosing when to retire (signing up for and choosing a Medicare plan is another).
Calculating your Social Security retirement benefit — a crucial source of income for many retirees — can be an important step in choosing when to retire (signing up for and choosing a Medicare plan is another).Most people first become eligible to collect Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. However, if you wait, your future monthly retirement benefit increases each month until you turn 70. In some cases, the amount you’d receive at 70 is nearly double the amount you’d receive at 62.
Most people first become eligible to collect Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. However, if you wait, your future monthly retirement benefit increases each month until you turn 70. In some cases, the amount you’d receive at 70 is nearly double the amount you’d receive at 62. Your actual benefit may be lower or higher than the estimate made with this calculator, because it does not take into account your actual earnings history. We assume you have earnings every year until you begin receiving Social Security benefits. If you had several years of noncovered employment or your earnings changed significantly from year to year, this calculator will overestimate or underestimate your benefit. Date of birth Enter an age between 22-70.Desired age to begin Social Security
The earliest age at which you can receive retirement benefits is 62. Each year you delay benefits until age 70, your monthly payout increases.The full retirement age is the age at which you're eligible for 100% of your retirement benefit. This age varies by year of birth.
You can file for Social Security benefits after turning 70 years old, but your benefit will not be greater than if you file at 70. 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70+
You will qualify for benefits at age 62.
Based on your date of birth, your full retirement age is 67 years.
Based on your date of birth, your full retirement age is 67 years. Annual income this year Annual income this year Include your income only, even if you're married. Your spouse will need to use the calculator separately for their income. Your gross work-related earnings subject to Social Security tax. Expected annual salary increase (percentage) How much you expect your annual salary to increase each year.
Estimated Social Security retirement benefits
Benefit at desired retirement age
$1,340/monthly
$1,340$16,080/annually
$16,080This is your estimated benefit
if you begin taking Social Security at age 62.
Benefit at full retirement age
$1,934/monthly
$1,934$23,208/annually
$23,208This is your estimated benefit
if you begin taking Social Security at age 67.
Estimated benefits from age 62 to 70
You selected Full retirement age Max benefitSocial Security break-even age
Your break-even point is the age at which the cumulative amount you may receive if you file later equals the cumulative amount you may receive if you file early. It signifies the point at which it may "pay off" to wait.
Your break-even point is the age at which the cumulative amount you may receive if you file later equals the cumulative amount you may receive if you file early. It signifies the point at which it may "pay off" to wait. cumulative benefits if you file at age 62 cumulative benefits if you file at age 67About these results
We estimated and then indexed your past earnings by using your current annual salary, the national average wage indexing series and the Social Security Administration's annual wage base.
We assume that people age 18 to 22 are less likely to have full-time earnings.
Future earnings are based on current annual salary and expected annual salary increase.
With the exception of the indexing factor applied to past earnings, the calculations do not include an inflation rate. The results are presented in today's dollars.
The Social Security Administration changes the maximum benefit every year based on, among other things, changes in the Average Wage Index.
We assume that people age 18 to 22 are less likely to have full-time earnings.
Future earnings are based on current annual salary and expected annual salary increase.
With the exception of the indexing factor applied to past earnings, the calculations do not include an inflation rate. The results are presented in today's dollars.
The Social Security Administration changes the maximum benefit every year based on, among other things, changes in the Average Wage Index.
Calculate your estimated Social Security benefits
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More on our editorial rigor
Editor & Content Strategist
23 years of experience Expertise Taxes Small business Social Security and estate planning Home services RIATina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets. Published in Editor & Content Strategist + more + more
Head of Content, New Verticals
11 years of experienceChris Hutchison helped build NerdWallet's editorial operation and has directed coverage across banking, investing, taxes and insurance. He now leads a team exploring new verticals. Before joining NerdWallet, he was an editor and programmer at ESPN and an editor at the San Jose Mercury News.
Chris Hutchison helped build NerdWallet's editorial operation and has directed coverage across banking, investing, taxes and insurance. He now leads a team exploring new verticals. Before joining NerdWallet, he was an editor and programmer at ESPN and an editor at the San Jose Mercury News. Head of Content, New Verticals + more + moreHow to use this Social Security calculator
How to use this Social Security calculatorEnter your date of birth. The Social Security Administration uses your date of birth to determine when you're eligible for 100% of your retirement benefits, among other things.
Enter your date of birth. Enter your date of birth. The Social Security Administration uses your date of birth to determine when you're eligible for 100% of your retirement benefits, among other things.Enter the age at which you'd like to start taking your Social Security retirement benefits. How much your Social Security retirement check is depends in part upon when you decide to retire.
Enter the age at which you'd like to start taking your Social Security retirement benefits. Enter the age at which you'd like to start taking your Social Security retirement benefits. How much your Social Security retirement check is depends in part upon when you decide to retire.Enter your current annual income. This helps us estimate your past and future earnings.
Enter your current annual income. Enter your current annual income. This helps us estimate your past and future earnings.Enter an estimate of your future annual salary to increases. This helps us estimate what you might earn between now and when you decide to retire.
Enter an estimate of your future annual salary to increases. Enter an estimate of your future annual salary to increases. This helps us estimate what you might earn between now and when you decide to retire.How the Social Security calculator works
How the Social Security calculator worksThree things greatly influence the size of your Social Security retirement benefits: your highest 35 years of earnings, when you were born and when you decide to start taking benefits. This Social Security benefits calculator accounts for those three things.
Three things greatly influence the size of your Social Security retirement benefits: your highest 35 years of earnings, when you were born and when you decide to start taking benefits. This Social Security benefits calculator accounts for those three things.The math to calculate Social Security retirement benefits is complex, and the calculator also incorporates the following data from the Social Security Administration:
The math to calculate Social Security retirement benefits is complex, and the calculator also incorporates the following data from the Social Security Administration:The average wage index series, which tracks average wages in the United States and annual changes in those average wages.
The average wage index series, which tracks average wages in the United States and annual changes in those average wages.The annual wage base, which reflects the maximum amount of a person's wages subject to Social Security taxes in a given year.
The annual wage base, which reflects the maximum amount of a person's wages subject to Social Security taxes in a given year.The SSA's annual cost-of-living adjustments.
The SSA's annual cost-of-living adjustments.The bend points the SSA applies to a person's average indexed monthly earnings.
The bend points the SSA applies to a person's average indexed monthly earnings.Full retirement age by birth year, as set by the SSA.
Full retirement age by birth year, as set by the SSA.The set percentages by which the SSA decreases or increases a person's benefits depending on their birth year and when they apply for retirement benefits.
The set percentages by which the SSA decreases or increases a person's benefits depending on their birth year and when they apply for retirement benefits.Next steps: More answers about Social Security retirement benefits
Next steps: More answers about Social Security retirement benefitsSocial Security is just one element of retirement income. Check out our free retirement calculator to estimate how much to save for retirement and how long that money might last.
Social Security is just one element of retirement income. Check out our free retirement calculator to estimate how much to save for retirement and how long that money might last.Additional questions you might want to ask include:
Additional questions you might want to ask include:How do I find a financial advisor who can help plan retirement?
How do I find a financial advisor who can help plan retirement?What is a good monthly retirement income?
What is a good monthly retirement income?How long will my retirement savings last?
How long will my retirement savings last?When and how do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
When and how do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits? Is Social Security taxable?Key Social Security terms to know
Key Social Security terms to knowPrimary insurance amount (PIA): This is the Social Security retirement benefit a person receives if they apply for benefits at full retirement age.
Primary insurance amount (PIA): Primary insurance amount (PIA): This is the Social Security retirement benefit a person receives if they apply for benefits at full retirement age.Full retirement age: The age at which a person is entitled to 100% of their monthly Social Security retirement benefit (their PIA). The full retirement age for Social Security ranges from 65 to 67. The SSA decides a person's full retirement age based on when they were born.
Full retirement age: Full retirement age: The age at which a person is entitled to 100% of their monthly Social Security retirement benefit (their PIA). The full retirement age for Social Security ranges from 65 to 67. The SSA decides a person's full retirement age based on when they were born.Eligibility age: The earliest age at which a person can begin taking Social Security retirement benefits. Typically this is age 62. The eligibility age is not the same as the full retirement age. Taking Social Security benefits before full retirement age typically results in a smaller monthly check.
Eligibility age: Eligibility age: The earliest age at which a person can begin taking Social Security retirement benefits. Typically this is age 62. The eligibility age is not the same as the full retirement age. Taking Social Security benefits before full retirement age typically results in a smaller monthly check.Bend point: The PIA is the sum of three distinct percentages of portions of the worker's average indexed monthly wages. The thresholds of these portions are the "bend points" in the PIA formula.
Bend point: Bend point: The PIA is the sum of three distinct percentages of portions of the worker's average indexed monthly wages. The thresholds of these portions are the "bend points" in the PIA formula.Spousal benefits: Social Security spousal benefits may provide a monthly sum to a retired worker's spouse or former spouse. The amount is up to 50% of the value of the retired worker's benefit. Receiving spousal benefits doesn't reduce the retired worker's retirement benefits; spousal benefits are on top of the retired worker's benefits.
Spousal benefits: Spousal benefits: Social Security spousal benefits may provide a monthly sum to a retired worker's spouse or former spouse. The amount is up to 50% of the value of the retired worker's benefit. Receiving spousal benefits doesn't reduce the retired worker's retirement benefits; spousal benefits are on top of the retired worker's benefits.Survivor benefits: Social Security survivors benefits are paid to a surviving spouse and eligible dependents of a deceased person who qualified for Social Security retirement benefits. The amount depends on the benefits the deceased was receiving or could have received, the survivor's relationship to the deceased and the applicant's age.
Survivor benefits: Survivor benefits: Social Security survivors benefits are paid to a surviving spouse and eligible dependents of a deceased person who qualified for Social Security retirement benefits. The amount depends on the benefits the deceased was receiving or could have received, the survivor's relationship to the deceased and the applicant's age.