Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
When to use this calculator
- Before choosing between saving, investing or changing a contribution.
- When you want to compare cautious, base and optimistic return assumptions.
- When you need a projection before making a longer-term decision.
- When you want to see whether starting earlier or contributing more changes the outcome more.
A realistic US planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Your Current Age | 35 |
| Age You Plan to Claim | 62 (Early — reduced benefits) |
| Average Annual Earnings ($) | 35 |
| Years Worked (paying SS) | 10 years |
After entering these figures, review monthly benefit, annual benefit and pia (at fra) together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Monthly Benefit
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Annual Benefit
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
PIA (at FRA)
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator estimates your Social Security retirement benefit using the SSA's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula, which applies three progressive replacement rates — 90%, 32%, and 15% — to tiers of your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) defined by 2025 bend points of $1,174 and $7,078. Because the SSA calculates benefits on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings, this tool approximates your AIME from average annual earnings and scales it proportionally if you have fewer than 35 contributing years. Early claiming reductions are applied at the statutory rates: 5/9 of 1% per month for the first 36 months before FRA and 5/12 of 1% per month beyond that. Delayed Retirement Credits add 8% per year for each year claimed after FRA up to age 70.
Results are estimates only. Your actual benefit will be calculated by the SSA based on your full lifetime earnings record, adjusted for inflation through the national average wage index each year. The SSA mails annual statements to workers over 60 and provides online estimates through My Social Security at ssa.gov — the most accurate source for your personal projection. This tool does not account for spousal or survivor benefits, disability benefits, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), or the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which can significantly alter benefits for certain public-sector workers.
Common mistakes
- !Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
- !Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
- !Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
- !Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
- Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
- Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.
Frequently asked
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