To receive Social Security benefits in 2025, you need to earn at least 40 credits throughout your working life. This typically means working for at least 10 years, since you can earn a maximum of 4 credits per year. Check below for your monthly Social Security benefits!
In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,730 of earned income. To receive the full 4 credits in a single year, you must earn at least $6,920 and report it to the IRS. Therefore, if you work for at least 10 years and report $6,920 or more each year, you will meet the basic eligibility requirement of 40 credits.
What is the Maximum and Minimum Social Security Benefit?
The amount of Social Security benefits you receive is calculated based on your highest 35 years of income. If you earned at or above the Social Security maximum taxable income every year (which is $168,600 in 2025), you may qualify for the maximum benefit.
Conversely, if you only worked for 10 years and earned just enough each year to earn 4 credits, you would likely receive the minimum benefit. For reference, the minimum monthly benefit in 2020 was around $84.95/month, although this amount may be adjusted for inflation over time.
How Much Will You Receive?
The easiest and most accurate way to check your expected benefits is to create an account on the Social Security Administration’s official website (ssa.gov). Once logged in, you can view your Earnings Record and see your estimated benefit amount.
How Social Security Monthly Benefits Are Calculated
1. Calculate Indexed Earnings
The Social Security Administration uses your annual income and adjusts it for inflation using an "index factor." This gives an inflation-adjusted value of your income across different years.
2. Calculate AIME (Average Indexed Monthly Earnings)
AIME is your total indexed earnings for your highest 35 years divided by 420 months (35 years × 12 months).
Example: If your total indexed earnings are $1,818,495 → AIME = $4,330.
3. Calculate PIA (Primary Insurance Amount)
- 90% of the first $1,150
- 32% of AIME between $1,150 and $6,800
- 15% of AIME above $6,800
Example:
- 90% of $1,150 = $1,035
- 32% of ($4,330 - $1,150) = $1,017.60
- Total PIA = $2,052.60/month
4. Spousal Benefits
Your spouse can receive up to 50% of your benefit. In the above example, that’s an additional $1,026.30, making the total household benefit $3,078.90/month.
5. Claiming Age Impact
- Age 62: ~30% reduction
- Age 67 (FRA): Full benefit
- Age 70: ~24% increase
