The longer you wait to apply for benefits, the more you’ll receive.
Benefits are calculated based on their earnings.
How do I apply for Social Security Disability benefits?
How to get higher benefits
Social Security benefits are calculated based on the earnings you’ve made during your productive years and the Social Security taxes you’ve paid. Read more about it here.
The most important factor in determining benefit amount, is directly related to age you are when you apply.
The average retirement benefit this year is $1,657 a month. However, some people are claiming the maximum $3,345 per month.
In order to get the maximum benefit, you’ll have to wait until you reach full retirement age(FRA). The FRA has gradually been increasing and could reach 67 for people born after 1960.
Your exact benefit will only be known after the application has been initiated. However, you could calculate an average.
How do I apply for Social Security Disability benefits?
How do I calculate benefits?
The easiest way to calculate your possible benefit is to use AARP’s Social Security Benefit Calculator. Or you could check My Social Security account online, which provides Social Security information about earning history.
The AARP calculator will require you to provide information about your annual income. Either tool will show you the benefits starting at age 62, because that is the earliest you can apply.
If you wait until you reach FRA or 70 years old, Social Security will reward you with a higher benefit.
You could also call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to calculate your benefits, but it may be less accurate.
This year the Social Security limit is $147,000 on income that will be considered in calculating retirement benefits.
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