Social Security Disability Benefits Calculator
Estimate your potential monthly Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and the number of eligible dependents. This calculator uses 2024 Social Security Administration (SSA) bend points for accuracy.
This is your average monthly earnings adjusted for inflation. You can find an estimate on your Social Security Statement or by logging into your my Social Security account.
Includes eligible spouses and minor/disabled children who may receive auxiliary benefits.
Estimated Monthly Benefits:
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on current SSA formulas and bend points. Your actual benefit amount may vary based on your specific earnings record, date of disability onset, and other factors. This is not a guarantee of benefits.
Understanding Your Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial assistance to individuals who have worked, paid Social Security taxes, and are now unable to work due to a severe medical condition. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is needs-based, SSDI benefits are an earned benefit, much like retirement benefits, based on your past earnings record.
Who is Eligible for SSDI?
To qualify for SSDI, you must meet two primary criteria:
- Work Credits: You must have accumulated a sufficient number of "work credits" through your employment. These credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on your earnings. The number of credits needed depends on your age when your disability began. Generally, you need 40 credits, with 20 of them earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled.
- Definition of Disability: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a strict definition of disability. You must have a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in "Substantial Gainful Activity" (SGA) and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. The SSA does not pay for partial or short-term disability.
How Are SSDI Benefits Calculated?
Your monthly SSDI benefit amount is determined by your "Primary Insurance Amount" (PIA). The PIA is the amount you would receive if you retired at your full retirement age. For disability benefits, your PIA is calculated based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME).
What is Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)?
Your AIME is a calculation of your average earnings over your working life, adjusted for changes in the national average wage index. The SSA takes your highest 35 years of indexed earnings (or fewer if you haven't worked that long) and averages them to arrive at your AIME. This indexing ensures that your past earnings reflect their value in today's economy.
You can find an estimate of your AIME and potential disability benefits on your annual Social Security Statement, which you can access by creating an account on the my Social Security website.
Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)
Once your AIME is determined, the SSA applies a formula with "bend points" to calculate your PIA. These bend points are dollar amounts that change annually and are used to determine how much of your AIME is counted at different percentages. For 2024, the formula is:
- 90% of the first $1,174 of your AIME, plus
- 32% of your AIME between $1,174 and $7,078, plus
- 15% of your AIME over $7,078.
The sum of these amounts is your PIA, which is your basic monthly benefit.
Family Maximum Benefit
In addition to your individual benefit, certain family members may also be eligible to receive benefits based on your work record. These are called "auxiliary benefits." Eligible family members typically include:
- A spouse aged 62 or older (or any age if caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled).
- Unmarried children under age 18 (or 19 if still in high school).
- Unmarried children aged 18 or older who were disabled before age 22.
However, there's a limit to the total amount of benefits that can be paid to a family based on one worker's earnings record. This is known as the "family maximum." The family maximum is typically between 150% and 188% of your PIA, depending on your PIA amount. The calculator above provides an estimate of this family maximum. If you have no eligible dependents, the family maximum will be equal to your individual PIA.
Important Considerations and Limitations
- Waiting Period: There is a mandatory five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits. Payments typically begin in the sixth full month after your disability began.
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): If you are working and earning above a certain monthly amount (SGA limit), you generally won't be considered disabled by the SSA. The SGA limit for non-blind individuals in 2024 is $1,550 per month.
- Other Benefits: Receiving other disability benefits (e.g., workers' compensation) can sometimes affect your SSDI amount.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs): SSDI benefits are subject to annual COLAs to help benefits keep pace with inflation.
This calculator provides a helpful estimate, but for precise figures and to apply for benefits, always consult directly with the Social Security Administration or a qualified disability advocate.