The amount can change if future earnings, the earnings record, family-benefit eligibility, Medicare premiums, taxes, or the law changes. Use the estimate for planning and confirm the final amount in SSA’s decision.
Sign in to your personal account
Open your secure my Social Security account. Do not use another person’s credentials or share authentication codes. The account can show whether you have enough work credits and can provide estimates based on the earnings SSA has recorded for you.
Review the earnings record first
Compare the yearly earnings shown by SSA with your W-2 forms, tax returns, and self-employment records. Missing or incorrect earnings can affect the estimate. Follow SSA’s correction instructions before relying on a number that appears incomplete.
Compare start ages from 62 through 70
The retirement estimate tool lets you compare different claiming dates. Starting before full retirement age generally produces a permanently lower monthly amount, while delaying can increase the retirement amount up to age 70. The best date depends on health, work, family benefits, cash needs, and Medicare timing.
Adjust expected future earnings
Use the tool’s future-income option when available to see how continued covered work may affect the estimate. Social Security uses lifetime covered earnings, and a later high-earning year can replace a lower year in the calculation.
Check possible family benefits
Your account may also show estimates for benefits payable to a spouse or family member. Eligibility and amounts are determined separately. Do not add two displayed estimates together unless SSA specifically says both are payable.
Account for deductions and withholding
The gross estimate may not equal the deposit received. Medicare Part B premiums, voluntary federal tax withholding, garnishments, or other authorized deductions can reduce a payment. Review these items before building a household budget.
Save the date and assumptions
Record the date of the estimate, the claiming age selected, the future earnings entered, and whether the earnings record was complete. Recheck the estimate after another year of work or before submitting the retirement application.