Social Security · Military Special Extra Earnings
Social Security Calculator
How this works
PIA: 90% of the first $1,286 of AIME + 32% to $7,749 + 15% above (2026 bend points), then adjusted for the age you claim.
Military credits: active-duty service 1957-2001 raises your earnings record (AIME), not the check directly. Program ended January 2002.
Claim age: earliest 62, full benefit at FRA, +8%/yr delayed credit to age 70.
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions from service members and veterans. Your exact number comes from the calculator above; every answer cites the official source.
What are Military Special Extra Earnings, and do they go straight onto my check?⌄
Active-duty service from 1957 through 2001 earns extra Social Security wage credits added to your earnings record. They are NOT added directly to your monthly benefit. Instead they raise your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), which flows through the benefit formula and lifts the check indirectly. The program ended in January 2002, so service after 2001 earns no special credit. The calculator models them as an AIME lift, the SSA-accurate path.
Source: SSA.gov military retirement planner
How does my claim age change the benefit?⌄
Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is the benefit at Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 66-67 depending on birth year. Claiming as early as 62 permanently reduces it; delaying past FRA adds about 8% per year in delayed retirement credits up to age 70. The calculator computes your FRA from birth year and applies the exact early-reduction or delayed-credit percentage for the age you enter.
Source: SSA.gov retirement benefits
How is the 2026 monthly benefit figured from my AIME?⌄
Social Security applies the 2026 bend points to your AIME: 90% of the first $1,286, plus 32% up to $7,749, plus 15% above that, to get your PIA, then adjusts for the age you claim. Military wage credits raise the AIME before the formula runs. Your real benefit uses your full 35-year indexed earnings history on file with SSA, and active-duty credits are verified by your DD-214 at application.
Source: SSA.gov 2026 bend points
What this covers. This is an estimate of your Social Security retirement benefit built from the 2026 SSA bend points, Full Retirement Age table, and early/delayed-claiming rules. It models Military Special Extra Earnings as a lift to your AIME, the gov-accurate path - those credits are never added to the monthly check directly. Your real benefit depends on your full 35-year indexed earnings history on file with SSA, and active-duty credits are verified by your DD-214 at application. Confirm at ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/military.html and your personal my Social Security statement. Last updated 2026-06-22.