Applicants who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits always want to know how much of a benefit they will receive each month if Social Security ultimately finds them disabled. There is not a precise way to determine monthly disability amounts online, but there is a way to estimate full retirement benefits, which end up being comparable to your monthly disability benefit.
If you are interested in finding out what exactly is your monthly SSDI Primary Insurance Amount (PIM) you can always call your local Social Security office, but that can be time consuming, as wait times to talk to a live Social Security agent can be lengthy.
Estimating retirement benefits, again a benefit which is comparable to SSDI benefits, can be achieved online.
The retirement estimator gives estimates based on actual Social Security earnings, but Social Security is unable to provide an actual amount until benefits are actually applied for. The actual amount may differ from estimates if:
- Earnings increase or decrease in the future.
- Cost of living adjustments can increase benefits.
- Social Security laws change.
- Benefit amounts may be impacted by military service or railroad employment.
Who can Use the Retirement Estimator?
Those who have enough Social Security credits at the time to qualify for benefits and if you are NOT:
- Currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record.
- You are waiting for a decision about your application for benefits or Medicare.
- You are age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another Social Security record.
- You are eligible for a pension based on work not covered by Social Security.
To learn more about Social Security’s retirement estimator and to get started on estimating your own retirement benefits click here.
