Fidamen

Social Security Benefits Calculator

This tool provides an estimate of monthly retirement and spousal benefits using an AIME → PIA bend-point approach and claim-age adjustments. It is intended for planning and illustration only and does not substitute for official benefit statements.

Defaults and bend points update periodically; enter your own indexed earnings or conservative averages for more accurate results. Use the quick estimate for rapid budgeting and the PIA-based method for a closer approximation.

Updated Nov 12, 2025QA PASS — golden 25 / edge 120Run golden-edge-2026-01-23

Governance

Record 965dfb77df7e • Reviewed by Fidamen Standards Committee

Estimate a primary monthly benefit using an AIME approximation and the standard progressive PIA bend-point formula, then adjust for early or delayed claiming. Defaults require user inputs for average earnings and claim age; bend points may be updated annually.

Inputs

Results

Updates as you type

PIA at Full Retirement Age

$2,246.70

Estimated monthly benefit at claim age

$2,246.70

OutputValueUnit
PIA at Full Retirement Age$2,246.70USD
Estimated monthly benefit at claim age$2,246.70USD
Primary result$2,246.70

Visualization

Methodology

Primary estimates use a three-tier PIA bend-point formula applied to an average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) approximation. Bend points are inputs so the calculator can be kept current each year.

Claim-age adjustments approximate standard early reduction rules: a higher proportional reduction for the first 36 months before full retirement age and a smaller per-month reduction thereafter. Delayed retirement credits are not modeled in detail in the quick method, but the PIA-based method can be extended.

This tool is designed with security and reliability practices in mind. Development and hosting should follow NIST risk management guidance, ISO 27001 principles for information security, and IEEE best practices for numerical software validation.

Key takeaways

This calculator provides scenario-based estimates: a PIA-based method for closer approximations, a quick linear method for rapid budgeting, and a spousal estimator that compares entitlements.

Results are illustrative. Update bend points and earnings with official indexed data for higher accuracy and consult official statements for entitlements.

F.A.Q.

How accurate are these estimates?

Estimates are approximations for planning purposes. They depend on the accuracy of the earnings input and bend-point values. This tool does not account for detailed indexed earnings history, cost-of-living adjustments, or every special rule. See the accuracy caveats and official benefit statements for precise amounts.

How should I choose bend-point values?

Bend points change annually. Use the official published monthly bend points for the year in question when available. If unknown, use the defaults but treat results as approximate.

Does this calculator account for delayed retirement credits?

The PIA-based method can be extended to model delayed retirement credits, but this configuration focuses on estimating PIA and early-claim reductions. For scenarios with delayed claiming beyond FRA, consider adding explicit delayed-credit factors.

Can I rely on this for legal or benefit entitlement decisions?

No. Use this calculator for financial planning only. For definitive benefit entitlement and exact amounts, consult official statements or agency channels.

Sources & citations

Further resources

External guidance

Versioning & Change Control

Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).

Record ID: 965dfb77df7e

What changed (latest)

v1.0.0 • 2025-11-12 • MINOR

Initial publication and governance baseline.

Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.

Public QA status

PASS — golden 25 + edge 120

Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23

Engine

v1.0.0

Data

Baseline (no external datasets)

Content

v1.0.0

UI

v1.0.0

Governance

Last updated: Nov 12, 2025

Reviewed by: Fidamen Standards Committee (Review board)

Credentials: Internal QA

Risk level: low

Reviewer profile (entity)

Fidamen Standards Committee

Review board

Internal QA

Entity ID: https://fidamen.com/reviewers/fidamen-standards-committee#person

Semantic versioning

  • MAJOR: Calculation outputs can change for the same inputs (formula, rounding policy, assumptions).
  • MINOR: New features or fields that do not change existing outputs for the same inputs.
  • PATCH: Bug fixes, copy edits, or accessibility changes that do not change intended outputs except for previously incorrect cases.

Review protocol

  • Verify formulas and unit definitions against primary standards or datasets.
  • Run golden-case regression suite and edge-case suite.
  • Record reviewer sign-off with credentials and scope.
  • Document assumptions, limitations, and jurisdiction applicability.

Assumptions & limitations

  • Uses exact unit definitions from the Fidamen conversion library.
  • Internal calculations use double precision; display rounding follows the unit's configured decimal places.
  • Not a substitute for calibrated instruments in regulated contexts.
  • Jurisdiction-specific rules may require official guidance.

Change log

v1.0.0 • 2025-11-12 • MINOR

Initial publication and governance baseline.

Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.

Areas: engine, content, ui • Reviewer: Fidamen Standards Committee • Entry ID: 92e9793f3a7a