Estimate My Social Security Benefit

How Your Social Security Is Changing In 2023

© Provided by SmartAsset SmartAsset: These Changes Are Coming to Your Social Security in 2023Theres a huge cost-of-living increase coming to Social Security recipients this year the largest adjustment since 1981, thanks to pandemic-prompted inflation. But thats not the only change coming. Other dollar limits on Social Security payroll taxes, taxes on benefits, disability thresholds and qualifying for benefits also will be changing for 2023.

If you need help setting and reaching retirement goals, consider working with a financial advisor.

Changes to Your Social Security in 2023

The 8.7 % cost-of-living adjustment will hit the accounts of about 70 million recipients starting this month. Because of changes to Medicare, many of those people will be able to hang onto all of that benefit raise, which averages more than $140 a month.

Medicare premiums are going down and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room, said Kilolo Kijakazi, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration. We can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned.

Increases to Monthly Benefits and Lifetime Earnings

Maximum Monthly Benefit Increases

Lifetime Earnings Minimum Increases

Rising Earnings Tax and Income LimitsHigher Earnings Tax Limit

Early Filers Get Higher Income Limits

Earnings Cap for Disability Benefits Also Rises

Bottom Line

Tips for Retirement Planning

Maximum Social Security Benefits You Can Get

The maximum monthly Social Security benefit available to someone retiring in 2021 is $3,895, which assumes that:

• They worked 35 years or more
• In their 35 top-earning years, their income met or exceeded the SSAs maximum taxable amount, so that they paid the largest Social Security tax amount possible for each of those years
• They are retiring at age 70, which entitles them to the maximum delayed retirement credit

For comparison, the table below lists the monthly benefits for workers who plan to retire in 2021 whose earnings met or exceeded the SSA maximum-taxable limit every year of their working lives, from age 22. This situation is far from typical, but it shows the impact of retirement age on Social Security benefits, isolated from other factors.

What Is Social Security

Social Security is the most successful anti-poverty program in our countrys history, according to the SSA. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law in 1935 as a retirement program for workers. It was part of the historic New Deal, and the first lump-sum payments were made in 1937.

Payments for workers survivors were added by Congress in 1939 and regular monthly checks started in 1940. Disability benefits were added in 1956.

Todays workers pay Social Security taxes into the program, and the money is disbursed as monthly income to beneficiaries in a pay-as-you-go system, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance.

One in five Americans receives benefits, including more than 47 million retired workers and dependents, 10 million disabled workers and dependents, and 6 million survivors of deceased workers.

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Gen Zers Might Want To Wait To Collect Social Security

What is Social Security? Mindy Yu, CIMA and director of investing at Betterment at Work, said Social Security is a common source of income for retirees. Gen Zers should start receiving Social Security benefits at age 62 as long as they, or their spouse, have made enough Social Security contributions throughout their career.

However, those that start collecting Social Security at 62 do not receive 100% of their benefits. Yu said some may suggest, depending on your unique personal circumstances, delaying receiving benefits.

If you delay benefits, what age is the right time for you to start claiming Social Security? Heather Winston director, financial advice and planning with retirement and income solutions at Principal said Gen Zers will receive full benefits if they retire at what Social Security calls your full retirement age.

Your full retirement age is 66 or 67, or somewhere in between, depending on what year you were born, said Winston.

In general, Winston said the longer you wait to claim, up until age 70, the bigger your benefit. Gen Zers that can wait to start claiming benefits may be able to better optimize their income.

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Visit Your Local Social Security Office

Your local Social Security office will be able to give you a benefit estimate if you go and request it. You will need to take proper identification so that the agents there can release this information to you. It is wise to make an appointment beforehand so that you do not spend hours waiting in line to get this information. You should also know that the estimated Social Security statement that you receive from your local SSA office only takes into account your past earnings record. They will not take into account any future earnings or wage increases. While this can give you a ballpark figure on your future benefit amount, it might not be quite as exact as some of the other methods available.

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How To Use Credit Karmas Social Security Calculator

Every time you get paid, your employer is required to withhold a portion of your earnings to cover payroll taxes. Also known as FICA, or the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, this money is used in part to pay your Social Security taxes, which go toward funding retirement and disability benefits.

You wont be able to collect Social Security until youre retired, or have another qualifying circumstance, such as a disability.

How The Ssacalculates Your Estimated Social Security Benefits

To calculate your Social Security benefit, the SSA will takeyour historical earnings and adjust them for inflation. This inflationadjustment goes through age 59 once you hit 60, your benefit amount is at facevalue at that point and into the future.

Then, the Administration takes your highest-earning 35 yearsof work and income history and calculates an average annual earnings amount.They they apply a formula that is specific to individuals who are 62 in thatcalendar year.

The result is your full retirement age benefit, also knownas your primary insurance amount or PIA.

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Who Can Use The Retirement Estimator

You can use the Retirement Estimator if you have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits and you are not:

• Currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
• Waiting for a decision about your application for benefits or Medicare.
• Age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another Social Security record.
• Eligible for a Pension Based on Work Not Covered By Social Security.

If you are currently receiving only Medicare benefits, you can still get an estimate. For more information, read our publication Retirement Information for Medicare Beneficiaries.

If you cannot use the Retirement Estimator or you want a survivors or disability benefit estimate, please use one of our other benefit calculators.

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How Does This Years Cola Compare To Previous Increases

Since 1975, Social Security benefits have been adjusted automatically every year based on increases in the cost of living. Previously, lawmakers would have to vote for increases, meaning years could go by before retirees saw a bump in their checks.The 8.7% increase announced for 2023 is the largest since 1981, when it was 11.2%.

The biggest increase ever, 14.3%, was in 1980, when the US was in the middle of a deep recession. In fact, all the highest COLA were in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Social Security: How To Find Out How Much Money You Get Each Month

In the past, your Social Security statements and benefit amounts were only available via a paper statement sent to your home. Now, you can access your benefit amount online through a mySocialSecurity account on the SSA website.

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Your online Social Security statement will show all the earnings youve had each year and how much you could receive per month in Social Security benefits when you retire. The Statement contains important information for you to be able to properly plan for a comfortable retirement.

You can access your earnings, Social Security benefit estimates and printable Statements. If you are a retiree and already receive benefits, you can view your payment history and current status and manage your benefits through the online account.

In order to set up your personal Social Security account, you will need to access the SSA website here. From there, select Create Account to get started. You must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid Social Security number, a U.S. mailing address and an email address in order to use this system.

Once you sign up, you can verify your earnings history, view estimated benefits based on your past earnings, view Social Security and Medicare taxes youve paid over your lifetime, print your current Statement and request a replacement Social Security card.

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Apply The Social Security Benefits Formula

Once you know your AIME, you can plug it into the Social Security retirement benefits formula as outlined above. But remember to choose the correct formula for your age. You should use the one that was in effect in the year you turned 62 regardless of whether you signed up for benefits at that age.

The results you get from this step will give you your PIA. If you choose to sign up at your FRA, that’s also how much you’ll get for a benefit. But if you sign up before or after your FRA, there are a few extra steps to calculating your monthly benefit.

When To Apply For Benefits How Much Youll Get

AARP, Updated May 25 , 2022

All the information presented is for educational and resource purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific or investment advice. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of the tool and suggest that you consult with your advisor regarding your individual situation.

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Social Security Information You Can See Online

When you sign in to your online account, you’ll be able to view your Social Security statements. If you don’t yet receive benefits, you’ll see an estimate of the amount you could receive when you do retire.

There’s a table that shows your monthly benefit amounts if you retire — for instance, if you were born in 1960 or later, your chart may show retirement at 62 years old , 67 years old and 70 years old . Note that these retirement ages may change in the future. The longer you wait to retire, the more money you could receive per month.

You can also see your eligibility and earnings information. If you’ve worked at least 10 years, you’ll have enough work credits — you need 40 — to receive benefits. If you click on Review your Earnings Record, you’ll see your taxed Social Security and Medicare earnings for each year you worked.

How To Create A My Social Security Account

You can create your free My Social Security account at . You will need to:

• Verify your identity by providing personal information and answering questions drawn from your credit report.

• Create a username and password to access your account.

• Confirm your email address and phone number.

If you have a security freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports, you will need to temporarily lift it to create a My Social Security account. If you dont want to lift it, you can visit a local Social Security office to open the account in person.

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Do Benefit Recalculations Occur Automatically

Typically, yes, benefit recalculations occur automatically. As long as you are paying your Social Security taxes properly, the Social Security Administration should receive a copy of your earnings record each year. Upon receiving your income information for the previous year, they will recalculate your benefit amount to determine whether your Social Security check needs to be increased. If you are only working part-time and earning a small amount of money, it is not likely to increase your benefits. However, if you are earning a significant amount of money, you can expect that your own benefit will increase.

If you suspect that your benefit amount should have increased, but you do not see a change in your Social Security check, you should contact the Social Security Administration. You can also view your earnings report through a My Social Security account to make sure that they received your latest earnings.

COLA recalculations also occur automatically each year, and any increases associated with those adjustments take effect in January. Typically, the Social Security Administration will release the amount of the increase in October or November of the year prior to the year in which the adjustment takes effect.

Estimate Your Social Security Benefits

The Social Security benefits you will receive at retirement can be estimated based on your average annual income, your current age and your age when you retire. For a more accurate and detailed assessment, visit the Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov where benefits can be determined based upon your specific earnings history and the exact date of your retirement.

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At What Age Do You Plan To Retire

The age at which you retire can have a major effect on the size of the Social Security benefits youll receive. The longer you wait up until age 70, the more benefits you may be able to collect.

Enter the age at which you would like to retire and begin collecting benefits. You can get retirement benefits as early as age 62.

Find Out How Much Your Social Security Benefits Amount Is Changing In 2023

Thanks to the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment, your Social Security check is getting an increase. Here’s how to see by how much.

Some Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Income beneficiaries have already seen the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment increase hit their bank accounts. For those who haven’t received that payment yet, though, know that the Social Security Administration disburses the checks in rounds throughout the month. You may just need to wait a little longer to get that check.

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for your check’s arrival to see how much of a bump the COLA is giving you.

If you created an online My Social Security account by Nov. 15, you can now see by how much your check is boosted — we’ll explain below how to find the document with your COLA increase.

A My Social Security account will show you your current or expected future benefits, based on your expected retirement age and your work history. You can also get documents for filing your taxes, request a benefit verification letter or change your mailing address and other personal information.

Here’s how to access your Social Security benefits online, and what sort of information and features you’ll be able to access with your My Social Security account. If you receive benefits now, here’s the Social Security payment schedule for January. Also, here’s why SSI beneficiaries won’t be receiving a January check.

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Who Is Eligible For Social Security Benefits

Anyone who pays into Social Security for at least 40 calendar quarters is eligible for retirement benefits based on their earnings record. You are eligible for your full benefits once you reach full retirement age, which is either 66 and 67, depending on when you were born. But if you claim later than that – you can put it off as late as age 70 – youâll get a credit for doing so, with larger monthly benefits. Conversely, you can claim as early as age 62, but taking benefits before your full retirement age will result in the Social Security Administration docking your monthly benefits.

The bottom line: Youâre eligible for Social Security Benefits if youâve paid into the system for at least a decade, but your actual benefits will depend on what age â between 62 and 70 â you begin to claim them.