SSA.tools

https://ssa.tools/

Social Security Guides

  • How much Social Security will I get based on my income?

    A series of guides estimating your Social Security benefits based on different annual income levels.

  • Navigating Social Security During Administrative Changes

    If you've tried to access Social Security services recently, you may have encountered longer wait times, website outages, or difficulty reaching representatives. These challenges are not coincidental but stem from significant administrative changes implemented by the Trump administration in 2025.

  • Social Security Work Credits

    Social Security work credits determine your eligibility for benefits. This guide explains how these credits are earned throughout your working life and the number required to qualify for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

  • Possible causes of Parsing Errors

    SSA.tools relies on accurate parsing of your earnings record from the Social Security Administration's website. If your earnings data isn't loading correctly, this guide identifies common reasons for parsing errors and provides troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them.

  • Deep look at Spousal Benefits and Filing Dates

    Spousal Benefits are sometimes commonly misunderstood to be equal to half of the other spouse's benefit. This guide takes a deep dive into how spousal benefits are calculated and how different filing dates can affect the final benefit calculation in confusing ways.

  • Navigate the Filing Date Chart

    The SSA.tools calculator features a detailed chart illustrating how different Social Security filing dates impact your benefit amount. This guide demystifies the chart, helping you interpret its data to make informed decisions about when to claim your benefits.

  • Will Social Security Run Out?

    And what happens if it does? Learn more about the Social Security Trust Fund, how it's slowly running out, and how what happens next could affect your benefits.

  • Bump in delayed benefits after January

    If you delay claiming Social Security benefits past your Normal Retirement Age, you earn delayed retirement credits. This guide explains a specific nuance: a small portion of these credits may be delayed until the January following the year you become eligible, impacting your initial payments.

  • Federal Taxation of Social Security Benefits

    A Comprehensive Guide to Calculating the Taxability of Social Security Benefits Based on AGI.

  • International Agreements

    Working abroad can impact your Social Security benefits. This guide explains how international agreements, known as Totalization Agreements, coordinate Social Security coverage and benefits between the U.S. and other countries, helping you understand your eligibility.

  • Rules for those born on the 1st or 2nd of the month

    Social Security rules can sometimes have surprising details. This guide explains a specific regulation that affects individuals born on the 1st or 2nd day of the month, potentially impacting their eligibility for benefits or the timing of their payments.

  • Why does ssa.tools use the current year's indexing factors for someone younger than 62?

    The Social Security Administration uses indexing factors to adjust past earnings for inflation. This guide delves into why SSA.tools uses current year indexing factors for younger individuals, rather than projected future factors, and the implications of this approach for benefit estimates.

  • The effect of AWI declining in 2020 due to Covid

    The Average Wage Index (AWI) plays a crucial role in calculating Social Security benefits. This guide examines how the unexpected decline in AWI during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic specifically impacts the lifetime benefits of individuals born in 1960.

  • Earnings Caps

    Social Security applies an annual earnings cap, meaning income above a certain threshold is not subject to Social Security taxes and does not count towards your benefit calculation. This guide explains how these earnings caps work, their historical changes, and their impact on your Social Security benefits.

  • Maximum Benefits

    Curious about the highest possible Social Security benefit? This guide explains the factors that determine the maximum monthly payment, including your earnings history and the age at which you claim benefits, providing insight into the upper limits of Social Security.

  • Social Security and Inflation

    Inflation significantly impacts the value of your Social Security benefits. This guide differentiates between two key types of inflation—wage increases and the Consumer Price Index—and explains how each uniquely influences the calculation and purchasing power of your Social Security payments.