Social Security Benefits Calculator 2026
Estimate your monthly Social Security benefit at age 62, 67, and 70. See your break-even age and lifetime benefit comparison. Updated with 2026 SSA data.
Quick Answer
The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 is $1,976/month ($23,712/year). Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by up to 30%. Waiting until 70 increases it by 24% above your full retirement age benefit. For someone with average earnings, the break-even point for delaying from 62 to 67 is approximately age 78.
Your Information
Estimated Monthly Benefit
At Age 62 (Early)
$1,618
$19,413/yr
At Age 67 (FRA)
$2,311
$27,733/yr
At Age 70 (Max)
$2,866
$34,389/yr
Break-Even Analysis
Claiming at 62 vs 67: break-even at age 78.7. If you live past that age, waiting pays off.
Claiming at 67 vs 70: break-even at age 82.5.
Lifetime Benefit Comparison
| Claim Age | Monthly | Total by 80 | Total by 85 | Total by 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $1,618 | $349,435 | $446,501 | $543,566 |
| Age 67 (FRA) | $2,311 | $360,528 | $499,193 | $637,858 |
| Age 70 | $2,866 | $343,889 | $515,833 | $687,777 |
Disclaimer: This is an estimate using 2026 SSA bend points ($1,226 and $7,391) and assumes consistent lifetime earnings. Your actual benefit depends on your complete 35-year earnings history. Visit ssa.gov/myaccount for your official estimate.
Estimated Social Security Benefits by Income — 2026
Approximate monthly benefit at full retirement age (67). Assumes 35 years at the listed income. 2026 SSA bend points.
| Annual Earnings | At 62 (−30%) | At 67 (FRA) | At 70 (+24%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,040 | $1,486 | $1,843 |
| $60,000 | $1,198 | $1,712 | $2,123 |
| $75,000 | $1,308 | $1,869 | $2,318 |
| $100,000 | $1,463 | $2,090 | $2,592 |
| $150,000+ | $1,726 | $2,466 | $3,058 |
Estimates using 2026 SSA bend points ($1,226 / $7,391). Actual benefits depend on your complete 35-year earnings record. Source: ssa.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Social Security benefit in 2026?
The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 is $1,976/month ($23,712/year), according to the Social Security Administration. This average is for retired workers only. Spousal benefits average $938/month and survivor benefits average $1,505/month. The exact amount depends on your 35 highest-earning years.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2026?
The maximum Social Security retirement benefit in 2026 is $4,873/month at full retirement age (67), or $5,940/month if you wait until age 70. To receive the maximum, you must have earned at or above the Social Security wage base ($184,500 in 2026) for at least 35 years and claim at age 70. Very few workers receive the maximum benefit.
At what age should I claim Social Security?
The ideal claiming age depends on your health, other income, and how long you expect to live. Claiming at 62 gives you the most checks but each is 30% smaller. Waiting until 70 gives you 24% more than your full retirement age benefit. If you're in good health and have other retirement income to bridge the gap, delaying to 70 is often optimal. If you're in poor health or need the income, claiming earlier may make sense.
How much does Social Security decrease if you claim at 62?
Claiming Social Security at 62 (5 years before the full retirement age of 67) permanently reduces your benefit by approximately 30%. Specifically: the reduction is 5/9 of 1% per month for the first 36 months before FRA, then 5/12 of 1% per month for any additional months. On a $1,976/month FRA benefit, claiming at 62 yields approximately $1,383/month — a $593/month reduction for life.
How much does waiting until 70 increase Social Security?
Every year you delay claiming Social Security past your full retirement age (67), your benefit increases by 8% — called Delayed Retirement Credits. Waiting from 67 to 70 (3 years) increases your benefit by 24%. On a $1,976/month FRA benefit, claiming at 70 yields approximately $2,450/month. This 24% increase is permanent and also applies to survivor benefits.
What is the Social Security break-even age?
The Social Security break-even age is when cumulative lifetime benefits from a later claim date equal those from an earlier claim date. For claiming at 62 vs 67: break-even is approximately age 78–79. For claiming at 67 vs 70: break-even is approximately age 82–83. If you live past the break-even age, waiting to claim pays off. The average life expectancy at 62 in the US is about age 83.
How is Social Security calculated?
Social Security is calculated using your AIME (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings) — the average of your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. Your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount — your full retirement age benefit) is: 90% of the first $1,226 of AIME, plus 32% of AIME from $1,226–$7,391, plus 15% of AIME above $7,391. These 'bend points' are set annually by SSA. Your PIA is then adjusted up or down based on your claiming age.
Does my state tax Social Security benefits?
Most states do not tax Social Security benefits. States that tax SS benefits in 2026 include: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. States with income-based partial taxation include Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The remaining 39 states and DC do not tax Social Security retirement benefits at the state level.