What your estimated Social Security payment is, and where to find it
Your estimated Social Security payment is the monthly dollar amount Social Security Administration (SSA) projects you will receive when you claim benefits. It is based on your actual earnings record — the wages you have paid Social Security taxes on throughout your working life — and the age at which you claim. The SSA calculates this figure using your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation.
You can see your personal estimate in three ways: through your online my Social Security account, by phone, or by mail. The estimate you receive is not a promise; it changes if you work more years, if your earnings change, or if you claim at a different age than the estimate assumes. The SSA updates your record every year, so the number you see today may be different next year.
Key Takeaways
- Your estimated payment is based on your actual earnings history and assumes you claim at a specific age — usually your full retirement age.
- You can view your estimate online through my Social Security, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by requesting a paper statement by mail.
- The estimate changes if you work additional years, earn more money, or claim at a different age than the estimate assumes.
- Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly payment permanently; claiming after increases it.
How the SSA calculates your estimate
The SSA takes your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusts each year's wages for inflation, and calculates an average. From that average, they explore a formula that produces your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the payment you would receive at your full retirement age. If you claim earlier or later, the SSA adjusts this amount up or down.
Your full retirement age depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, it is 66. The SSA website has a table showing the exact age for your birth year. The estimate you see online typically assumes you claim at your full retirement age unless you specify otherwise.
If you have not worked 35 years, the SSA counts the missing years as zero, which lowers your average and your estimate. This is why people who took time out of the workforce, or who immigrated later in life, often see lower estimates than they expected.
Accessing your estimate through my Social Security
The fastest way to see your estimate is to create an account on ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need to verify your identity using a phone number, email address, and Social Security number. The SSA uses a third-party identity verification service; if you cannot verify online, you can create an account by mail instead.
Once logged in, click "Benefit Estimates" in the left menu. You will see your estimated monthly payment at your full retirement age, your estimated payment if you claim at 62 (the earliest age), and your estimated payment if you claim at 70 (the latest age most people claim). The page also shows your earnings record year by year, so you can check whether the SSA has recorded your income correctly.
The online estimate updates once per year, usually in September or October. If you recently earned income that has not yet appeared in your record, your estimate may not reflect it yet.
Getting an estimate by phone or mail
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to create an online account, you can call the SSA's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. A representative can tell you your estimated payment over the phone. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning or on weekdays outside of the first week of the month.
You can also request a paper statement by mail. Visit ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/statement.html and follow the link to request a statement. The SSA will mail it to you within two weeks. This statement shows your earnings record and your estimated payment at three claiming ages.
Why your estimate might change year to year
If you are still working, your estimate will increase each year you earn income — as long as that year's earnings are higher than one of your lowest 35 years on record. The SSA replaces your lowest-earning years with your new, higher earnings, raising your average and your benefit amount.
Your estimate also changes if you claim at a different age than the estimate assumes. If the estimate shows $2,000 per month at age 67 but you claim at 62 instead, your actual payment will be roughly 30 percent lower. If you claim at 70, it will be roughly 24 percent higher. These percentages are fixed by law and do not change.
If you have a significant gap in your earnings record — perhaps because you were out of work for several years — and that gap falls within your highest 35 years, your estimate may drop when the SSA updates your record.
Understanding the difference between estimate and actual payment
Your estimate is a projection, not a may provide. The SSA bases it on current law, your current earnings record, and the claiming age you specify. If Congress changes Social Security law, your actual payment could differ from the estimate. However, no changes to current law are scheduled, and any future changes would likely explore only to people not yet claiming.
Your actual payment also depends on when you claim. You must be at least 62 to claim Social Security retirement benefits. If you claim before your full retirement age, your payment is permanently reduced. If you claim after your full retirement age, your payment increases by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70, after which it does not increase further.
The estimate assumes you are a U.S. citizen or authorized immigrant. If you are not, different rules may explore to your benefits. The SSA website has information for non-citizens, or you can ask a representative when you call.
Checking your earnings record for errors
Your estimate is only as accurate as the earnings record behind it. If your employer reported your wages incorrectly to the SSA, your estimate will be too low. You can review your earnings record in your my Social Security account or on the paper statement you request by mail.
Look for years where your earnings seem too low or missing entirely. If you spot an error, contact the SSA with your W-2 or tax return for that year. The SSA can correct the record, but there are time limits — generally, you must report an error within three years, three months, and 15 days of the year in which you earned the wages. If you are close to claiming, report any suspected errors right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age does the SSA assume I will claim in my estimate?
The estimate shown in your my Social Security account assumes you claim at your full retirement age. The website also shows you what your payment would be if you claimed at 62 or 70, so you can compare. You can change the claiming age in your account settings to see a different estimate.
Can I see what my payment would be if I claim at 65 or 68?
The my Social Security website shows estimates only at ages 62, your full retirement age, and 70. If you want an estimate at a different age, call 1-800-772-1213 and a representative can calculate it for you. You can also use the SSA's retirement estimator tool at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html, which lets you enter any claiming age.
My estimate seems too low. What should I do?
First, check your earnings record in your my Social Security account to see whether the SSA recorded all your income correctly. If you spot missing or incorrect years, contact the SSA with your W-2 or tax return. If your record looks correct but your estimate still seems low, you may have fewer than 35 years of earnings, which lowers your average. A representative can explain your specific situation if you call 1-800-772-1213.
Does my estimate include Medicare premiums?
No. Your estimate is your gross Social Security payment before any deductions. Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, income taxes, and other withholdings are subtracted from your payment after you claim. Your actual monthly deposit will be lower than your estimate.
What if I worked in another country? Does that count toward my estimate?
Generally, only wages you paid U.S. Social Security taxes on count toward your benefit. If you worked in another country that has a Social Security agreement with the United States, some of that work may count. Contact the SSA to discuss your specific work history.