Social Security Benefit Calculator 2026: See Your Exact Monthly Amount in 2 Minutes
Free, no signup required. Enter your average annual income and instantly see how much you’ll receive at age 62, 67, and 70 — plus your break-even point.
🎯 Your Personal Social Security Calculator
Must be between 40 and 70
This is your gross income before taxes. Use your best estimate.
Social Security uses your top 35 earning years
📊 Your Estimated Social Security Benefits
What Is the Maximum Social Security Benefit in 2026?
The maximum Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 is $5,108 per month for workers who claim at age 70. At full retirement age (67), the maximum is $4,152/month. If you claim early at 62, the maximum drops to $2,831/month.
However, these are the absolute maximums — only workers who earned at or above the taxable maximum ($184,500 in 2026) for 35+ years qualify. Most Americans receive significantly less, which is why using a personalized calculator matters.
| Claiming Age | Max Possible Benefit | Average Benefit | Annual Total (max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 62 (earliest) | $2,831/month | ~$1,200/month | $33,972 |
| Age 65 | $3,374/month | ~$1,550/month | $40,488 |
| Age 67 (full) | $4,152/month | ~$2,071/month | $49,824 |
| Age 70 (maximum) | $5,108/month | ~$2,500/month | $61,296 |
How Is Your Social Security Benefit Calculated?
The SSA calculates your benefit using a formula based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) — an average of your top 35 earning years, adjusted for inflation. From there, they apply a formula called the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
• 90% of the first $1,226 of your AIME
• 32% of AIME between $1,226 and $7,391
• 15% of AIME above $7,391
This progressive formula means lower earners get a higher percentage of their income replaced.
4 Factors That Determine YOUR Exact Benefit
Your Social Security amount is not random. Four specific factors control it:
- Your earnings history: The SSA takes your highest 35 years of earnings. Missing years count as $0 — which drags down your average significantly.
- When you claim: Every month you delay past 62 increases your benefit. Delaying past full retirement age adds 8% per year until 70.
- Your full retirement age (FRA): For anyone born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. Claiming before 67 permanently reduces your benefit by up to 30%.
- Your COLA adjustments: In 2026, Social Security benefits increased by 2.8% due to the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment. This applies to your benefit automatically.
When Should You Claim Social Security?
This is the most important question, and the answer depends entirely on your personal situation. Here’s the general framework:
- Claim at 62 if you have serious health issues, need the income now, or your spouse has a much higher benefit (you could collect spousal benefits later).
- Claim at 67 if you’re in average health, still working part-time, or want the guaranteed 100% of your earned benefit.
- Claim at 70 if you’re in good health, have other income sources to bridge the gap, and want to maximize your monthly check for the long run.
The break-even point for waiting from 67 to 70 is typically around age 80. If you expect to live past 80, waiting almost always pays off.
Social Security and Taxes: What You Need to Know
Up to 85% of your Social Security benefit may be taxable, depending on your combined income. If your total income (including half of your SS benefit) exceeds $34,000 for individuals or $44,000 for couples, up to 85% of your benefit is subject to federal income tax.
This is an often-overlooked factor when calculating your actual take-home benefit. Your net benefit after taxes may be meaningfully lower than the gross amount shown in your SSA statement.
Want to Squeeze Even More From Social Security?
Now that you know your base number, discover the advanced strategies that can add up to $1,276/month more — legally, and for free.
Show Me How to Maximize My Benefit →