You can see your estimated benefit amount before you claim
Social Security sends you a statement each year that shows what you might receive at different ages. You can also create a free account on ssa.gov to see your personalized estimate right now, without waiting for the mailed statement. The estimate is based on your actual earnings record — the wages you've paid Social Security taxes on throughout your working life.
Your estimate changes as you age and earn more income. The longer you wait to claim, the larger your monthly check will be. If you claim at 62, you get less per month than if you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), and you get even more if you delay until 70.
Key Takeaways
- You can view your Social Security estimate by creating a free account at ssa.gov, which shows what you might receive at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70.
- Your estimate is based on your actual earnings history, so it reflects the wages you've paid taxes on, not a guess.
- The estimate assumes you will keep working at your current income level until you claim; if your earnings change, your benefit amount may change.
- Claiming at 62 gives you a smaller monthly payment than waiting until full retirement age or 70, but you receive payments for more years overall.
How to create your Social Security account and find your estimate
Go to ssa.gov and select "Create an account" under the "my Social Security" section. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a driver's license number or passport number. The site will ask you security questions based on your credit history to confirm who you are.
Once you are logged in, select "Benefit Estimates" or "View Estimate" to see what you might receive. The page will show three numbers: your benefit at age 62, at your full retirement age, and at age 70. Each number is a monthly amount in today's dollars, which means it is adjusted for inflation so you can compare it to what you earn now.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for a benefit estimate. They will mail it to you, though this takes longer than checking online.
What the estimate includes and what it does not
Your estimate is based on your earnings record as of the date you check it. Social Security assumes you will keep working at the same income level until you claim. If you earn more or less in the coming years, your benefit will be different from the estimate.
The estimate does not include any other income you might have — pensions, investments, part-time work, or rental income. It shows only what Social Security will pay you based on your work history. The estimate also does not account for taxes you may owe on your benefits, which depends on your total income in retirement.
If you have not worked long enough to may have access to for benefits yet, the estimate will say so. Social Security requires 40 credits of work history, which usually means about 10 years of paid work. You earn one credit for each quarter you earn a certain amount (the amount changes each year).
How your age affects the amount you see
The three ages shown on your estimate — 62, full retirement age, and 70 — represent the main decision points for claiming. If you claim at 62, you receive the smallest monthly payment, but you can start collecting right away. If you wait until your full retirement age (66 or 67, depending on when you were born), you receive a larger monthly amount. If you delay until 70, you receive the largest monthly amount.
The difference is significant. Waiting from 62 to full retirement age typically increases your monthly benefit by 25 to 30 percent. Waiting from full retirement age to 70 increases it by another 24 percent. Over your lifetime, the total amount you receive may be similar whether you claim early or late — it depends on how long you live — but the monthly payment is much larger if you wait.
What happens if you keep working after you claim
If you claim before your full retirement age and continue to work, Social Security will reduce your benefit if your earnings exceed a certain limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. For every two dollars you earn above that amount, Social Security deducts one dollar from your benefit. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and no reduction, no matter how much you work.
This is why some people wait to claim until they stop working or until they reach full retirement age. If you plan to work past 62, checking your estimate at your full retirement age or 70 may give you a clearer picture of what you will actually receive.
How to use your estimate to plan your claiming decision
Your estimate is a tool to help you think through when to claim. Write down the three amounts — at 62, full retirement age, and 70 — and think about your own situation. If you are in good health and expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond, waiting usually means more total money over your lifetime. If you have health concerns or need the money now, claiming earlier may make sense.
You can also look at your family history. If your parents or grandparents lived into their 90s, that is a sign you might benefit from waiting. If they did not, claiming earlier might be the right choice for you. There is no single right answer — it depends on your health, your finances, and what matters most to you.
Some people also consider spousal benefits or survivor benefits when deciding when to claim. If you are married, your spouse may be able to receive a benefit based on your work record. If you have children or a spouse who depends on you, they may receive benefits if you pass away. These factors can change the math of when to claim.
When to update your estimate
Check your estimate every few years, especially if your income has changed significantly. If you received a raise, a promotion, or started a new job, your benefit amount may have gone up. If you took time off work or had lower earnings in some years, your estimate might have gone down (though Social Security drops your lowest-earning years from the calculation).
You should also update your estimate if your plans have changed — if you now think you will work longer, retire earlier, or claim at a different age than you previously expected. The estimate helps you see how those changes affect your monthly benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the estimate I see online the same as the one Social Security mails to me?
Yes, they show the same information. The online estimate is usually more current because it reflects your earnings record as of the date you check it. The mailed statement may be a few months old by the time it arrives. Both are based on your actual work history and show the same three claiming ages.
What if my estimate seems too low?
Check that your earnings record is correct. Log into your account and review the "Earnings Record" section, which lists your wages by year. If you see a year where your earnings are missing or wrong, contact Social Security to correct it. Errors are not common, but they do happen, especially if you changed jobs or had a name change.
Can I change my estimate by working more years?
Yes. Social Security calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, adding more work years will increase your benefit. Even if you have 35 years, working additional years at higher wages can replace lower-earning years in the calculation, which raises your benefit.
Does the estimate account for cost of living increases?
The estimate shows your benefit in today's dollars, so it does not include future cost of living adjustments (COLA). In reality, your benefit will increase each year if there is inflation, but the estimate does not predict those increases. It is meant to help you compare claiming ages in current dollars.
What if I was self-employed or had irregular income?
Social Security counts self-employment income the same way it counts wages, as long as you reported it on your tax return and paid self-employment taxes. Your estimate will reflect that income. If you had very irregular income — some years high, some years low — Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years, so the low years may not count.