Throughout your working life, you accumulate an earnings record (sometimes called a work record). That’s the foundation the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to calculate your benefits, using a three-step process. Show First, Social Security adjusts your earnings for historical changes in U.S. wages, takes your 35 best-paid years and produces what it calls your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). Only income up to the maximum taxable earnings — the annually adjusted cap on how much of your earnings are subject to Social Security taxes — is counted. (The maximum taxable earnings in 2022 are $147,000.) Second, they apply a formula to that monthly average to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA) — the amount you’ll get each month from Social Security if you claim benefits at your full retirement age. That's 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956, gradually rising to 67 for people born in 1960 or later. The formula breaks down your average monthly wage into three parts. In 2022, it is:
The sum of those three figures is your PIA, also known as your full retirement benefit. The sliding scale is designed to weight the benefit to help low-wage earners, who need retirement money the most. Finally, the SSA plugs in the age at which you claim benefits. They take a bite from the full benefit if you are younger than full retirement age — you can lose more than a quarter of your benefits by starting Social Security at 62, the earliest possible age. But they add to your benefit for each month between full retirement age and 70 that you delay claiming benefits. You can gain up to 32 percent extra in benefits this way. Keep in mind
You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full
retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase. If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced a small percent for each month before your full retirement age. To find out how much your benefit will be reduced if you begin receiving benefits from age 62 up to your full retirement age, use the chart below and select your year of birth. This example is based
on an estimated monthly benefit of $1000 at full retirement age. Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth
Before You Make Your DecisionThere are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different. It is important to remember:
If you decide to delay your benefits until after age 65, you should still apply for Medicare benefits within three months of your 65th birthday. If you wait longer, your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cost you more money. |
How to determine your social security retirement benefits
Copyright © 2024 ko.wiewird Inc.
