Social Security Disability Calculator

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SSDI Benefit Estimator (2024)

Your average monthly income over your working years, adjusted for inflation.

$

Estimated Monthly Payment:

*This is an estimate based on the 2024 Social Security "Bend Point" formula. Actual amounts depend on your official Social Security earnings record.

function calculateSSDI() { var aime = parseFloat(document.getElementById('avgEarnings').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('ssdi-result'); var output = document.getElementById('benefitOutput'); if (isNaN(aime) || aime <= 0) { alert('Please enter a valid monthly earnings amount.'); return; } // 2024 Bend Points for Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) // 90% of first $1,174 // 32% of amount between $1,174 and $7,078 // 15% of amount over $7,078 var bend1 = 1174; var bend2 = 7078; var pia = 0; if (aime <= bend1) { pia = aime * 0.90; } else if (aime 3822) { pia = 3822; } output.innerHTML = '$' + pia.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); resultDiv.style.display = 'block'; }

How is Social Security Disability (SSDI) Calculated?

Unlike standard insurance policies that pay a flat percentage of your salary, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) uses a progressive formula. The Social Security Administration (SSA) looks at your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) to determine your benefit amount.

The 2024 "Bend Point" Formula

The SSA uses three distinct percentages to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). For 2024, the formula is:

  • 90% of the first $1,174 of your AIME.
  • 32% of your AIME between $1,174 and $7,078.
  • 15% of any AIME amount exceeding $7,078.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for SSDI, you must meet two main criteria:

  1. Work Credits: You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a sufficient duration (usually 20 credits in the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled).
  2. Medical Disability: You must have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from engaging in "Substantial Gainful Activity" (SGA) and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Practical Examples

Avg. Monthly Income (AIME) Estimated Monthly Benefit
$2,500 $1,480.92
$5,000 $2,280.92
$8,000 $3,084.18

Factors That Can Reduce Your Payment

While the calculator provides an estimate of your gross benefit, certain factors may reduce the actual amount you receive:

  • Workers' Compensation: If you receive workers' comp or other public disability benefits, your SSDI may be reduced.
  • Pensions: If you receive a pension from a job where you did not pay Social Security taxes (like some government jobs), the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) might apply.
  • Medicare Premiums: If you have been on SSDI for 24 months, Medicare Part B premiums are often deducted directly from your check.

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