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Estimate your monthly Social Security retirement benefit at age 62, 67 or 70. Updated for 2026 SSA rules — max benefit $5,181/month.
✓ Last verified July 2026 — SSA.gov 2026 COLA & benefit tablesThe average Social Security benefit in 2026 is $1,976/month. The maximum is $5,181/month (if claiming at age 70). Claiming at 62 permanently reduces your benefit by up to 30%. Waiting from 67 to 70 increases it by 24%. Your exact benefit depends on your 35 highest-earning years and when you claim.
Your Estimated Monthly Benefit: —
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💡 Break-Even Analysis
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| Claim Age | Max Monthly Benefit | vs Full Retirement Age | Break-Even vs Age 62 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 (Earliest) | $2,831/mo | −29.5% | N/A (baseline) |
| 63 | $2,982/mo | −25.8% | ~Age 75 |
| 64 | $3,175/mo | −21.0% | ~Age 76 |
| 65 | $3,368/mo | −16.3% | ~Age 77 |
| 66 | $3,795/mo | −5.6% | ~Age 78 |
| 67 (FRA ⭐) | $4,018/mo | Baseline | ~Age 79 |
| 68 | $4,339/mo | +8% | ~Age 80 |
| 69 | $4,660/mo | +16% | ~Age 81 |
| 70 (Maximum) | $5,181/mo | +24% | ~Age 82 |
Source: SSA.gov 2026. These are maximum benefits for someone with maximum taxable earnings for 35+ years. Average benefits are significantly lower.
| Average Annual Earnings | Est. Monthly Benefit at 67 | Est. Monthly at 62 | Est. Monthly at 70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | ~$1,200/mo | ~$840/mo | ~$1,490/mo |
| $50,000 | ~$1,680/mo | ~$1,176/mo | ~$2,083/mo |
| $75,000 | ~$2,100/mo | ~$1,470/mo | ~$2,604/mo |
| $100,000 | ~$2,520/mo | ~$1,764/mo | ~$3,125/mo |
| $150,000+ | ~$3,200/mo | ~$2,240/mo | ~$3,968/mo |
| Maximum earner | $4,018/mo | $2,831/mo | $5,181/mo |
These are estimates based on consistent earnings over 35 years. Actual benefits depend on your complete earnings history. Source: SSA.gov benefit calculators.
Every year you delay claiming beyond your Full Retirement Age (67) adds 8% to your monthly benefit permanently. Delaying from 67 to 70 adds 24% to your benefit for life — one of the best guaranteed "investment returns" available.
Create a free account at ssa.gov/myaccount to view your earnings record. Errors in your earnings history directly reduce your benefit — and must be corrected before you claim. Review your record annually.
Married couples can maximise lifetime benefits by having the lower-earning spouse claim early and the higher earner delay to 70. The surviving spouse inherits the higher of the two benefits — so delaying the high earner's benefit protects the survivor.
If you claim before FRA and continue working, the SSA withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $22,320 (2026). Withheld amounts are credited back when you reach FRA — but timing matters for cashflow planning.
Up to 85% of your Social Security benefit may be taxable depending on your combined income. Plan your retirement income mix (Roth IRA vs traditional IRA vs SS) to minimise the taxable portion of your benefit.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual Social Security benefits are determined by the SSA based on your complete earnings record. Always verify your benefit estimate at ssa.gov. Last verified July 2026.