Social Security Disability Calculator

Social Security Disability Benefit Estimator

function calculateDisabilityBenefit() { var currentAge = parseFloat(document.getElementById('currentAge').value); var avgAnnualEarnings = parseFloat(document.getElementById('avgAnnualEarnings').value); var yearsWorked = parseFloat(document.getElementById('yearsWorked').value); var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result'); if (isNaN(currentAge) || currentAge 67) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid age between 18 and 67.'; return; } if (isNaN(avgAnnualEarnings) || avgAnnualEarnings < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid average annual earnings amount (non-negative).'; return; } if (isNaN(yearsWorked) || yearsWorked (currentAge – 18)) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid number of years worked (non-negative and less than or equal to your working years).'; return; } // Simplified AIME calculation: Average Annual Earnings / 12 // This is a significant simplification. Actual AIME involves indexing past earnings // to current wage levels, which is beyond a simple calculator without full earnings history. var estimatedAIME = avgAnnualEarnings / 12; // 2024 Social Security Bend Points for PIA calculation var bendPoint1 = 1174; // First bend point var bendPoint2 = 7078; // Second bend point var pia = 0; // Primary Insurance Amount if (estimatedAIME <= bendPoint1) { pia = 0.90 * estimatedAIME; } else if (estimatedAIME <= bendPoint2) { pia = (0.90 * bendPoint1) + (0.32 * (estimatedAIME – bendPoint1)); } else { pia = (0.90 * bendPoint1) + (0.32 * (bendPoint2 – bendPoint1)) + (0.15 * (estimatedAIME – bendPoint2)); } // Social Security Disability Benefit is generally 100% of PIA var monthlyBenefit = pia; resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Estimated Monthly Disability Benefit: $' + monthlyBenefit.toFixed(2) + '' + 'This is an estimate based on simplified calculations. Your actual benefit may vary.'; }

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a severe medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is needs-based, SSDI benefits are based on your past earnings and contributions to Social Security through payroll taxes.

Who is Eligible for SSDI?

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

1. Work Credits: You need to have worked long enough and recently enough to earn a sufficient number of "work credits." The number of credits required depends on your age when your disability began. Generally, you need 20 credits (equivalent to 5 years of work) earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability started. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
2. Disability Definition: The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a strict definition of disability. You must have a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in any "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death. The SSA will evaluate your medical evidence and your ability to perform work.

How Your SSDI Benefit is Calculated

Your monthly SSDI benefit amount is primarily based on your "Primary Insurance Amount" (PIA). The PIA is derived from your "Average Indexed Monthly Earnings" (AIME). Here's a simplified breakdown:

• Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME): The SSA calculates your AIME by taking your earnings from your working years, indexing them to account for changes in general wage levels over time, and then averaging them over a specific number of years (typically your highest-earning 35 years for retirement, but a shorter period for disability based on your age).
• Primary Insurance Amount (PIA): Your AIME is then run through a progressive formula with "bend points" to determine your PIA. This formula is designed to replace a higher percentage of earnings for lower-income workers. For 2024, for example, the formula uses 90% of the first portion of your AIME, 32% of the next portion, and 15% of the remaining AIME. Your disability benefit is generally 100% of your PIA.

The calculator above provides an estimate by simplifying the AIME calculation based on your average annual earnings. It then applies the current year's bend points to give you a rough idea of your potential monthly benefit.

Family Benefits and Maximums

In some cases, certain family members may also be eligible to receive benefits based on your work record. These can include your spouse (if they are caring for your child who is under age 16 or disabled, or if they are age 62 or older), and unmarried children under age 18 (or 19 if still in high school, or any age if disabled before age 22). However, there is a "family maximum" amount that can be paid on one worker's record, typically between 150% and 180% of the disabled worker's PIA.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. The actual Social Security Disability benefit you may receive is determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) based on your complete earnings record, specific disability onset date, and other factors. It is highly recommended to review your official Social Security Statement for a more accurate estimate or contact the SSA directly.

How to Apply for SSDI

You can apply for Social Security Disability benefits online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The application process involves providing detailed information about your medical condition, work history, and personal details. It's often beneficial to gather all relevant medical records before applying.