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how to calculate what your social security benefits will be

by Elsa Nader Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Your Social Security benefit is based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). You can calculate this by looking at your annual income each year. Make sure you only include the portion of your income that was subject to Social Security tax.

Full Answer

How to find your estimated Social Security benefits?

The earliest you can file for Social Security benefits is 62, with the latest being 70. The earlier you take benefits, the less you will receive; the longer you wait, up to age 70, the more you will receive.

How do you estimate your Social Security benefit?

Key Points

  • Social Security benefits may not be as high as you think.
  • The average benefit is going up in 2022.
  • Your benefit could be above or below average, depending on your wages over your career.

How do I estimate my SS Benefits?

You may want to may want to consider using my company's software — Maximize My Social Security or MaxiFi Planner — to ensure your household receives the highest lifetime benefits. Social Security calculators provided by other companies or non-profits may provide proper suggestions if they were built with extreme care. Best, Larry

How do you determine your Social Security benefit amount?

  • For earnings that fall within the first band, you multiply by 90%. That is the first part of your benefit.
  • For earnings that fall within the second band, you multiply by 32%. That is the second part of your benefit.
  • For earnings that are greater than the maximum of the second band, you multiply by 15%. This is the third part of your benefit.

What is the benefit estimate?

How old do you have to be to file for Social Security?

How old do you have to be to use Quick Calculator?

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How do I determine the amount of Social Security I will receive?

We: Base Social Security benefits on your lifetime earnings. Adjust or “index” your actual earnings to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Calculate your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most.

What is the formula to determine Social Security benefits?

For a worker who becomes eligible for Social Security payments in 2022, the benefit amount is calculated by multiplying the first $1,024 of average indexed monthly earnings by 90%, the remaining earnings up to $6,172 by 32%, and earnings over $6,172 by 15%.

How much will I get from Social Security if I make $30000?

1:252:31How much your Social Security benefits will be if you make $30,000 ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou get 32 percent of your earnings between 996. Dollars and six thousand and two dollars whichMoreYou get 32 percent of your earnings between 996. Dollars and six thousand and two dollars which comes out to just under 500 bucks.

How much Social Security will I get if I make 60000 a year?

That adds up to $2,096.48 as a monthly benefit if you retire at full retirement age. Put another way, Social Security will replace about 42% of your past $60,000 salary. That's a lot better than the roughly 26% figure for those making $120,000 per year.

Social Security Calculator

Social Security Calculator. The U.S. Social Security website provides calculators for various purposes.While they are all useful, there currently isn't a way to help determine the ideal (financially speaking) age at which a person between the ages of 62-70 should apply for their Social Security retirement benefits.

Retirement Calculator

Retirement Calculator. Our Retirement Calculator can help a person plan the financial aspects of retirement. Each calculation can be used individually for quick and simple calculations, or in chronological order as a more comprehensive walkthrough of retirement planning.

Social Security Calculator (2022 Update) - SmartAsset

Annual Income: We assume that your income in the future increases by the rate if inflation and your income in the past is discounted by the same inflation rate Indexed Earnings: We use the Social Security Administrations National Average Wage Index to index wages for the social security benefit calculation Working Years: We assume that you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for 35 ...

Benefit Calculators - Estimate Your Benefit

Quick Calculator (Aquí en Español). Provides rough estimates of your retirement benefit based on your current earnings. Also provides estimated disability and survivor benefits if you die or become disabled today.

Social Security Retirement Benefit Calculation

Benefit Calculation Examples for Workers Retiring in 2022. We illustrate the calculation of retirement benefits using two examples, labeled case A and case B.

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What is the benefit estimate?

Benefit estimates depend on your date of birth and on your earnings history. For security, the "Quick Calculator" does not access your earnings record; instead, it will estimate your earnings based on information you provide. So benefit estimates made by the Quick Calculator are rough. Although the "Quick Calculator" makes an initial assumption ...

How old do you have to be to file for Social Security?

You must be at least age 22 to use the form at right. Lack of a substantial earnings history will cause retirement benefit estimates to be unreliable. Enter your date of birth ( month / day / year format) / /. Enter earnings in the current year: $. Your annual earnings must be earnings covered by Social Security.

How old do you have to be to use Quick Calculator?

You must be at least age 22 to use the form at right.

What is the formula for Social Security benefits?

The Social Security benefits formula is designed to replace a higher proportion of income for low-income earners than for high-income earners. To do this, the formula has what are called “bend points." These bend points are adjusted for inflation each year.

How is Social Security decided?

Your Social Security benefit is decided based on your lifetime earnings and the age you retire and begin taking payments. Your lifetime earnings are converted to a monthly average based on the 35 years in which you earned the most, adjusted for inflation. Those earnings are converted to a monthly insurance payment based on your full retirement age.

What is wage indexing?

Social Security uses a process called wage indexing to determine how to adjust your earnings history for inflation. Each year, Social Security publishes the national average wages for the year. You can see this published list on the National Average Wage Index page. 3 .

Is Social Security higher at age 70?

If you have already had most of your 35 years of earnings, and you are near 62 today, the age 70 benefit amount you see on your Social Security statement will likely be higher due to these cost of living adjustments .

Can you calculate inflation rate at 60?

Until you know the average wages for the year you turn 60, there is no way to do an exact calculation. However, you could attribute an assumed inflation rate to average wages to estimate the average wages going forward and use those to create an estimate.

How much do retirees rely on Social Security?

Most retirees rely on Social Security. One in four gets 90% of their retirement income from the program. About half rely on it for 50% of their income. 1. Although Social Security is only one part of a secure retirement plan, it's helpful to get a rough idea of how much you can expect. If you're eligible for Social Security, ...

What is the monthly benefit of Social Security?

If you're eligible for Social Security, your monthly benefit is based on two factors: How much money you earned during your working career. The age you choose to start getting payments. Let's look at how each of these affects your future Social Security income.

How many credits do you need to qualify for spousal benefits?

2. You may be entitled to a spousal benefit because of your partner's work history. If your spouse, ex-spouse, or deceased spouse has earned 40 credits, you may qualify.

How much will FICA be in 2021?

The same threshold applies to both your earnings and your benefits. This amount is $142,800 in 2021. 5.

How to calculate Social Security benefits?

Your Social Security benefit is based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). You can calculate this by looking at your annual income each year. Make sure you only include the portion of your income that was subject to Social Security tax.

How much does the SSA withhold?

If you make more than $45,360 in 2018 after filing a claim for Social Security benefits, SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn in excess of this higher limit.

How many years do you have to work to get Social Security?

Add up your income for the 35 highest years. Social Security benefits are based on your average earnings for 35 years of work. If you haven't worked for at least 35 years, Social Security will average in zeroes for as many years as you are short. If you've worked more than 35 years, choose the 35 years in which you earned the most income.

How much will Social Security be reduced if you retire early?

However, if you claim your benefit before you reach full retirement, your benefits will be reduced by 30 percent.

What is the age of full retirement?

1. Determine your normal retirement age (NRA). Your NRA, also called "full retirement age," is based on the year you were born, but varies generally from 65 to 67. This is the age at which you will receive your full benefit amount. If you file a claim for Social Security benefits before this age, you'll get less money.

Is Social Security taxable if spouse is still working?

This is also true if your spouse is still working, since Social Security benefits are also taxable. Decide whether you plan to keep working. If you don't intend to completely quit working after you file your claim for Social Security benefits, the SSA may withhold some of your benefits.

How long do you have to be a Social Security employee to get full benefits?

Anyone who pays into Social Security for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years) is eligible for retirement benefits based on their earnings record. You are eligible for your full benefits once you reach full retirement age, which is either 66 and 67, depending on when you were born.

How much will Social Security be in 2052?

starting in 2052 at age 66: $48,771. The earliest you can begin receiving benefits is at age 62. Spouse's annual Social Security benefit. The earliest you can begin receiving benefits is at age 62. Social Security Benefits Accounting for Inflation: 1st year of benefits through age 95.

How does Social Security affect retirement?

Social Security benefits in retirement are impacted by three main criteria: the year you were born, the age you plan on electing (begin taking) benefits and your annual income in your working years. First we take your annual income and we adjust it by the Average Wage Index (AWI), to get your indexed earnings.

What age do you have to be to claim Social Security?

If you claim Social Security benefits early and then continue working, you’ll be subject to what’s called the Retirement Earnings Test. If you’re between age 62 and your full retirement age, and you’re claiming benefits, you need to know about the Earnings Test Exempt Amount, a threshold that changes yearly.

How long do I have to work to get Social Security?

To get your social security benefits we do a couple things. First we assume that you have or will work for 35 years before electing social security benefits (this is needed to calculate your benefits) We then take your income and we adjust it by the Average Wage Index (AWI), to account for the rise in the standard of living during your working ...

Does Social Security protect against inflation?

That means the retirement income you collect from Social Security has built-in protection against inflation. For many people, Social Security is the only form of retirement income they have that is directly linked to inflation. It’s a big perk that doesn’t get a lot of attention.

Is Social Security a tax?

You may hear people grumbling about the Social Security “Earnings Tax”, but it’s not really a tax. It’s a deferment of your benefits designed to keep you from spending too much too soon. And after you hit your full retirement age, you can work to your heart’s content without any reduction in your benefits.

How to figure out my Social Security benefits?

There are four ways to figure out your Social Security benefits: visit a Social Security office to get an estimate; create an account at the official Social Security website and use its calculators; let the SSA calculate your benefits for you; or calculate your benefits yourself. Doing the calculations for yourself involves understanding what AIME, ...

What is the NAWI adjustment factor for Social Security?

To be conservative, use a NAWI adjustment factor of 1.0 in column B for all future years.

When does index factor change to 1.0000?

Notice that the index factor becomes 1.0000 in 2014, the year in which the worker turns 60, and it remains 1.0000 without changing for any future years of taxable earnings. If you plan to continue working after age 60, just project your taxable earnings in column two and use 1.0000 in column three for all future years.

Is Social Security progressive?

Social Security is designed as a “progressive” social insurance system, which means it replaces a greater part of average monthly pay for low-income workers than it does for high-income workers. The bend points implement this skew relative to each worker’s AIME. 13 .

Is Social Security open by appointment?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Security offices are only open by appointment, and to get an appointment you need to be in a “dire need situation.” 6  Most people will have to transact their business online, by phone, or through the mail.

Can you wait until you start receiving Social Security benefits?

You can wait until you decide to start receiving benefits and let the SSA calculate the amount for you. However, this doesn’t help you plan ahead, and while the SSA can usually be counted on to determine benefits accurately, mistakes can be made. 5 .

How the Retirement Estimator Works

The Retirement Estimator calculates a benefit amount for you based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Please keep in mind that these are just estimates.

Who Can Use the Retirement Estimator

You can use the Retirement Estimator if you have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits and you are not:

How Long Can You Stay On Each Page?

For security reasons, there are time limits for viewing each page. You will receive a warning if you don’t do anything for 25 minutes, but you will be able to extend your time on the page.

What percentage of a spouse's Social Security benefit is a PIA?

If you're married, the PIA will also figure in any benefit amount that your spouse would be due, generally 50 percent of your PIA if the spouse turns on the tap at full retirement age. The PIA is also the basis of a survivor's benefit and a child's benefit.

What is the effect of Social Security on lower income earners?

The effect of these calculations is that a Social Security benefit "replaces" more of the income of lower-wage earners than it does for higher-wage earners. The effect is to help level the playing field in retirement between workers of different income levels.

How many years of work do you have to work to get Social Security?

It starts with Social Security examining your earnings history — with an emphasis on the money you earned during your 35 highest-paid years. That means that if you worked 40 years, Social Security would use your highest-paid 35 years in its calculations and ignore the other five.

What is PIA in Social Security?

The next step is to calculate your all-important primary insurance amount (PIA).

Why do I get my unemployment benefits early?

The reason: If you start early, you will get more payments for a longer period of time, but with smaller amounts of money in each payment .

Is Social Security an earned benefit?

The first is that a Social Security benefit is an earned benefit. It's not a freebie. We Americans earn our benefits by working for many years and paying the Social Security tax in each of those years. That tax is 6.2 percent of your wages up to a ceiling ($127,200 in 2017).

Is there a limit to how high a salary can go on Social Security?

There are limits to how high it can go, however, because wages above the ceiling aren't subject to Social Security tax and aren't counted in your benefit calculation. OK, now that we know the rules of the retirement road, let's see how Social Security figures out the dollars and cents that become your monthly benefit.

What is the benefit estimate?

Benefit estimates depend on your date of birth and on your earnings history. For security, the "Quick Calculator" does not access your earnings record; instead, it will estimate your earnings based on information you provide. So benefit estimates made by the Quick Calculator are rough. Although the "Quick Calculator" makes an initial assumption ...

How old do you have to be to file for Social Security?

You must be at least age 22 to use the form at right. Lack of a substantial earnings history will cause retirement benefit estimates to be unreliable. Enter your date of birth ( month / day / year format) / /. Enter earnings in the current year: $. Your annual earnings must be earnings covered by Social Security.

How old do you have to be to use Quick Calculator?

You must be at least age 22 to use the form at right.

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