The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers the possibility of using different calculators. It will depend on the benefit you would like to apply for whether you need to use one or another.
The Social Security Quick Calculator is the most common one. However, it has one important downside. If you provide it with inaccurate information, the information it will give you will not be accurate either. But there is also another noteworthy thing.
Social Security Quick Calculator warning
Bear in mind that this calculator makes an initial assumption about the earnings you had in the past. Of course, they could not be accurate. But then you should check the initial assumption made by SSA.
After checking it, please make the necessary changes to correct it. So, look for the section “See the earnings we used” and click on it to make all the necessary changes and get more precise amounts.
To use this Social Security Quick Calculator you will first have to visit https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/ and then enter the required information like your birth date, earnings in the current year, the future retirement age choice and if you would like to see inflated dollars or not. Then, submit it.
Alternatives to Social Security calculators
If you are not keen to use any Social Security calculator, you can always download a Social Security Statement. This will provide you information regarding your retirement benefit amounts at different ages.
What is more, it will inform you if you could get disability benefits or if your family could receive survivor benefits. Visit the official website to get it at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/statement.html. Get a My Social Security account if you do not have one to download it.
SSA has a full list of calculators at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/calculators/. If you visit that website, go for the one that suits you best. For example, early or late retirement, spousal benefits, disability, or the most precise estimate of your retirement, the detailed calculator.