See monthly benefits using bend points and timing. Model early or delayed filing with details. Download tables, share scenarios, and decide with clarity now.
This tool is an estimator. Bend points and rules can change by program year, so key parameters are editable for scenario planning.
This sample shows how changing the claiming age can shift monthly benefits.
| Scenario | Total Indexed Earnings | FRA | Claim Age | Bend Points | Estimated Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | $1,400,000 | 67y 0m | 67y 0m | $1,200 / $7,200 | Varies by adjustment |
| Early claim | $1,400,000 | 67y 0m | 62y 0m | $1,200 / $7,200 | Lower than baseline |
| Delayed claim | $1,400,000 | 67y 0m | 70y 0m | $1,200 / $7,200 | Higher than baseline |
This estimator connects earnings, bend points, and claiming choices to a monthly benefit view. It is designed for scenario planning, not official benefit determination. Use it to test ranges, document assumptions, and communicate tradeoffs with partners, advisors, or family members. Keep inputs stable when comparing scenarios so differences reflect a single variable.
Average indexed monthly earnings, or AIME, represents a career‑level earnings signal expressed per month. You may enter total indexed earnings for 35 years or provide AIME directly. When using the 35‑year total, the calculator divides by 420 months to estimate AIME, creating a consistent baseline. If your career has gaps or uneven peaks, model alternative totals to bracket outcomes.
The primary insurance amount, or PIA, is derived from AIME using two bend points and three replacement tiers. The first tier replaces a large portion of earnings up to the first bend point, the second tier replaces a moderate portion up to the second bend point, and the final tier replaces a smaller portion above it. Because bend points vary by year, editable bend points let you explore different policy periods and sensitivity.
Full retirement age sets the reference point for adjustments. Claiming early reduces the PIA, using a higher monthly reduction for the first 36 months and a lower rate for additional months. Delaying increases the benefit through monthly credits after full retirement age. Small age changes can meaningfully shift lifetime cash flow, so compare several ages across a realistic benefit horizon.
Monthly amounts are easy to compare, but present value adds discipline when horizons differ. The calculator estimates a present value for a growing annual stream using your COLA assumption and discount rate. Use this view to compare options on a consistent basis, then export CSV for spreadsheet analysis and PDF for sharing. Re‑run scenarios and archive outputs to build a clear decision trail. Also consider taxes, spousal benefits, and work plans as separate factors, then adjust assumptions and rerun to see how conclusions change over time.
AIME is an average monthly measure of your indexed earnings history. It is the core input used to compute the PIA, so higher sustained earnings generally raise the estimated baseline benefit.
Bend points shift over time and can differ by policy year. Editable bend points let you test sensitivity, replicate a published year’s parameters, and evaluate how changes would affect your estimate.
If you claim before full retirement age, the calculator applies a monthly reduction: a higher rate for the first 36 months early, then a slightly lower rate for additional early months.
Present value discounts a future stream of benefits into today’s dollars using your discount rate and growth assumption. It helps compare options with different timing on a consistent basis.
No. It focuses on an individual benefit estimate using simplified inputs. Model taxes, survivor or spousal provisions, and work plans separately, then adjust your scenario assumptions as needed.
Official calculations use detailed indexing, exact earnings records, program-year parameters, and eligibility rules. This tool simplifies inputs for planning, so treat results as directional and compare against official sources.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.