We illustrate the calculation of retirement benefits using two examples, labeled case A and case B. In each case, the worker retires in 2023. Case A, born in 1961, retires at age 62. Case B, born in 1957, retires at his normal (or full) retirement age. In each case, we assume the worker has covered earnings from 1983 through 2022, as shown at right in columns labeled "nominal earnings." Indexing brings nominal earnings up to near-current wage levels. For each case, the table shows columns of earnings before and after indexing. Between these columns is a column showing the indexing factors. A factor will always equal one for the year in which the person attains age 60 and all later years. The indexing factor for a prior year Y is the result of dividing the average wage index for the year in which the person attains age 60 by the average wage index for year Y. For example, the case-A indexing factor for 1983 is the average wage for 2021 ($60,575.07) divided by the average wage for 1983 ($15,239.24). We use the highest 35 years of indexed earnings in a benefit computation. The dropped indexed amounts are shown in red. Below the indexed earnings are the sums for the highest 35 years of indexed earnings and the corresponding average monthly amounts of such earnings. (The average is the result of dividing the sum of the 35 highest amounts by the number of months in 35 years.) Such an average is called an "average indexed monthly earnings" (AIME). The next step is to calculate benefits based on AIME amounts. Earnings before and after indexing
Note: Nominal earnings for case B are limited by the contribution and benefit base for all years. Case B is an example of a person who has earned at or above the maximum taxable amount in each year. What is the formula for calculating my Social Security benefits?Up to 35 years of earnings are needed to compute average indexed monthly earnings. After we determine the number of years, we choose those years with the highest indexed earnings, sum such indexed earnings, and divide the total amount by the total number of months in those years.
How do I calculate my full retirement age?If your birth year is 1960 or after, your normal retirement age is 67. Anyone born between 1955 and 1959 has a normal retirement age between 66 and 67 – that is, 66 plus a certain number of months. For instance, if you were born in 1958, your FRA is 66 and eight months.
What is the maximum you can collect from Social Security at full retirement age?The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $3,345. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $2,364.
|