The amount of Social Security benefits you will get depends mainly on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which is the average of your 35 highest-earning years adjusted for inflation. The Social Security Administration then applies a formula with bend points on your AIME to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the amount you'd receive at full retirement age. For 2025, the PIA formula has three parts:
- 90% of the first $1,226 of AIME
- 32% of AIME between $1,226 and $7,391
- 15% of AIME above $7,391
The actual amount you receive can also depend on the age you start claiming benefits. Claiming before full retirement age generally reduces benefits, while delaying up to age 70 increases them. If you want an exact estimate based on your earnings history and expected retirement age, the best approach is to use the Social Security Administration's online benefits calculator or create an account on their website to access your personalized estimate.
