Check whether you've likely earned enough work credits for Social Security retirement benefits, and get a rough estimate of your monthly benefit at different claiming ages.
Your Work History
Work where Social Security tax was withheld from your paycheck. You can earn up to 4 credits per year.
Your Estimate
Eligibility Status
Eligible
You've likely earned the 40 credits needed to qualify
💬 In Simple Words
With around 15 years of covered work, you've likely earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. Claiming at age 67, a rough estimate of your monthly benefit is $2,000.
| Claiming Age | % of Full Benefit | Est. Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | 70% | $1,400 |
| 65 | 87% | $1,734 |
| 67 | 100% | $2,000 |
| 70 | 124% | $2,480 |
A simplified, illustrative estimate — not an official Social Security benefit calculation. Create a free account at ssa.gov to see your actual earnings record and official estimate.
👋 Simple Explanation
You earn "credits" from working in jobs where Social Security tax is withheld — up to 4 credits per year. Once you've earned 40 credits (about 10 years of work, not necessarily consecutive), you're eligible for retirement benefits for life, regardless of how much more or less you go on to earn.
Your actual benefit amount is calculated from your highest 35 years of earnings (indexed for wage growth), not the simple percentage this calculator uses — years with no earnings count as zero in that average, which is why a full 35-year work history maximizes your benefit.
Claiming at 62 (the earliest possible age) locks in a permanently reduced benefit — about 70% of your full amount at a full retirement age of 67. Waiting until 70 permanently increases it to about 124%. There's no single right answer — it depends on your health, other income, and how long you expect to need the benefit to last.