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Many people rely on the estimates provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to figure out what their Social Security benefit is projected to be, but what if those numbers don’t match up with your actual retirement plans? If you want the most accurate estimate, you need to take a closer look at how your benefits are calculated and make adjustments based on your own situation.
Why the SSA Estimates Might Be Wrong
The SSA provides an estimate of your benefits based on two major assumptions:
- You will continue earning the same income you earned last year, all the way until retirement.
- You will retire at a specific age, typically your full retirement age (FRA).
For most people, these assumptions don’t hold up. Many plan to stop working before FRA, work part-time, or have fluctuating incomes. This means that the estimates you see on your Social Security statement may be significantly different from what you will actually receive.
Step-by-Step: Getting an Accurate Estimate
To find out what you can truly expect from Social Security, follow these steps:
1. Log into Your Social Security Account
Head to SSA.gov and sign into your account. Once logged in, navigate to your Social Security statement, where you’ll find your estimated benefits based on the SSA’s assumptions.
2. Use the Retirement Calculator
Instead of relying solely on your statement, scroll down and use the SSA’s Retirement Calculator. This tool allows you to adjust your future earnings and retirement age to get a more accurate benefit estimate.
3. Set Future Earnings to Zero
One of the best ways to get a realistic number is to assume zero future earnings—meaning, you stop working today. This shows you what benefits you’ve already earned. Many people are surprised to see that the majority of their projected benefit is already locked in.
For example, if your SSA statement estimates $2,500 per month at FRA but your vested amount (benefits based on work already completed) is $2,100, that means 84% of your benefits are already earned. The extra $400 per month comes from additional years of work, helping you decide whether continuing employment is worth it.
4. Adjust for Part-Time Work or Lower Earnings
If you plan to work part-time or earn less than before, adjust the calculator to reflect this. It will show how much your benefits change with reduced income.
5. Experiment with Different Retirement Ages
The SSA assumes you’ll retire at your FRA, but that might not match your plans. By adjusting your retirement age, you can see the impact of delaying or accelerating benefits.
- Retiring early (age 62): Benefits are reduced by 30%.
- Full Retirement Age (67 for most people): No reductions or increases.
- Delaying to age 70: Benefits increase by 8% per year after FRA, giving you a total 24% boost if you wait until 70.
Making Smart Social Security Decisions
Now that you have a more accurate estimate, you can make smarter decisions about your retirement:
- Decide how long to work: If 85% of your benefit is already earned, you may not need to work as long as you thought.
- Plan for part-time work: Adjusting income projections shows you how much part-time work will (or won’t) impact your benefits.
- Choose the best filing age: Understanding the impact of early vs. delayed filing helps maximize lifetime benefits.
Take Control of Your Social Security
Getting an accurate estimate of your Social Security benefits is a crucial step in your retirement planning. Don’t rely on generic government estimates—use the SSA’s tools to personalize your projections and make informed decisions.
Related: 3 Essential Factors That Shape Your Social Security Income