How Can I Find Out My Estimated Social Security Benefits?
Discovering your estimated Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit can be an empowering step toward understanding your financial future. The same formula used to calculate retirement benefits also determines your SSDI amount, making it easier to grasp how the process works. Knowing your potential benefit clarifies your financial posture and provides confidence as you plan your next steps.
How Social Security Determines SSDI
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a consistent formula to calculate both SSDI and retirement benefits. These calculations are based on your lifetime earnings record using your reported taxable income over the years. The key factors in determining SSDI benefits include:
Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME):
The SSA uses your historical earnings, adjusted for inflation, to calculate your AIME. They take your highest-earning years (up to 35 years for retirement and average them after applying an inflation adjustment.
Primary Insurance Amount (PIA):
Your PIA is the monthly benefit you would receive at full retirement age or if you qualify for SSDI. The Social Security Administration uses the following progressive formula to calculate the PIA in 2025:
- 90% of the first $1,226 of your AIME.
- 32% of your AIME from $1,226 to $7,391.
- 15% of your AIME over $7,391.
These amounts, known as “bend points,” adjust annually based on national wage trends.
Once your PIA is determined, it represents your full SSDI monthly benefit before any deductions, such as Medicare premiums, or offsets for other disability benefits.
Steps to Estimate Your SSDI Benefits
To calculate an estimate of your SSDI benefits, you can take the following steps:
Access Your Social Security Statement:
The easiest way to obtain an estimate is by reviewing your Social Security Statement. You can access this document online by signing on to your “my Social Security” account at www.ssa.gov. The statement provides an estimate of your SSDI benefits based on your current earnings record.
OR
Calculate Your Own AIME and PIA Manually:
If you prefer to manually estimate your benefits:
- Identify your 35 highest earning years of taxable income on your Social Security earnings statement.
- Adjust those earnings for inflation (Indexing figures are available on the SSA website).
- Add those 35 highest earning year indexed figures and divide by 35 and divide that figure by 12 to establish your AIME.
- Finally, apply the PIA formula shown above to determine your approximate benefit.
Why Your Earnings Record Matters
For SSDI, ensuring the accuracy of your earnings record is critical. Mistakes in your reported income could lower your AIME, resulting in reduced benefits. Regularly review your Social Security Statement to verify that all earnings are properly recorded. If discrepancies arise, contact the SSA to provide supporting documentation, such as W-2s or tax returns.
Understanding Social Security’s formulas and rules can be challenging, especially when applying for disability benefits. The Keener Law Firm has extensive experience guiding individuals through the claims process, ensuring that applications include all necessary documentation to support eligibility. Working with a knowledgeable advocate can reduce the stress of dealing with SSA requirements and help you secure the benefits you need.
SSI Benefits Are Different from SSDI Benefits
While SSDI benefits are based on your work history and earnings, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are calculated differently. SSI is a need-based program designed to support individuals with very limited income and financial resources who are disabled, blind, or aged 65 or older. Supplemental Security Income benefits work this way:
- Federal Benefit Rate (FBR):
The maximum monthly SSI payment is set by the federal government each year. For 2025, the FBR is $967 for an individual and $1,459 for an eligible couple. - Income Adjustments:
The SSA presumes every benefits recipient begins with the maximum benefit, and then reduces the recipient’s benefits dollar-for-dollar by deducting an amount equal to their “countable income.” However, remember that certain exclusions apply.
Examples of exclusions from countable income include:
- The first $20 of most income each month is excluded.
- The first $65 of earned income each month is excluded, and
- half of any additional earned income.
Some States Supplement SSI Benefits
Some states provide additional payments to SSI recipients. The amount each state supplements varies widely, and your total benefit will depend on the state where you live.
Financial Resource Limits to Qualify for SSI
To qualify for SSI, you must have limited resources, generally no more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Certain assets, like your home, primary vehicle, personal home furnishings, burial policy, and other resources are excluded from the Social Security Administration’s calculation.
Estimating your SSI benefits is difficult because each state’s supplements and allowed resources can vary.
You can learn more about the “exclusions” from your countable income by using the SSI Benefits Estimator found on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website.
If you have questions or need assistance with your disability claim, The Keener Law Firm is committed to helping individuals nationwide obtain the benefits they deserve.