SSDI & SSI Resource Center

If you're applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), one of the first questions you'll have is: how much will my monthly benefit be? The answer depends on a specific formula the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses — one that most applicants have never seen and that insurance adjusters and disability attorneys know inside and out.

The SSA's Core Formula: AIME and PIA

Your SSDI monthly benefit is ultimately determined by two numbers: your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Here's what each means:

Step 1: Calculate Your AIME

The SSA starts by looking at your complete earnings history — every year you paid Social Security taxes. They take your highest 35 years of earnings (indexed for inflation to today's dollars), add them up, and divide by 420 months (35 years × 12 months). The result is your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, or AIME.

If you worked fewer than 35 years, the SSA fills the missing years with zeros — which lowers your AIME and therefore your benefit. This is why it's important to work as many years as possible before applying.

Step 2: Apply the PIA Bend Point Formula

The SSA then applies a progressive formula to your AIME using "bend points" — threshold values that change each year. For 2026, the formula is:

The result — rounded down to the nearest $0.10 — is your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is your base monthly SSDI benefit.

A Concrete Example

Say your AIME is $3,500/month. The PIA calculation would be:

• 90% × $1,226 = $1,103.40
• 32% × ($3,500 − $1,226) = 32% × $2,274 = $727.68
• 15% × $0 (AIME is below $7,391) = $0
• Total PIA = $1,831.08/month

Key Factors That Affect Your Benefit

Years of Work History

As mentioned, fewer than 35 years of earnings means zeros in the calculation — directly reducing your benefit. Every additional year you work replaces a zero-year, which increases your AIME.

COLA Adjustments

Benefits increase annually based on the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2026 COLA was 2.5%. This means your benefit grows slightly every year to keep pace with inflation.

The Workers' Comp Offset

If you receive workers' compensation or other public disability benefits, your SSDI may be reduced so that the combined amount doesn't exceed 80% of your pre-disability earnings. This is called the workers' comp offset and surprises many claimants.

Dependents' Benefits

Your spouse and children may be eligible for additional benefits based on your SSDI record — up to 50% of your PIA per eligible family member, subject to a family maximum.

SSI vs SSDI: A Different Calculation

If you're applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of SSDI, the calculation is completely different. SSI is need-based, not earnings-based. The 2026 federal SSI maximum is $967/month for an individual and $1,450/month for a couple. Your actual benefit is reduced by any countable income you have. Some states add a supplement on top of the federal amount.

Step-by-Step: Estimating Your Benefit

1. 1

   Get your Social Security Statement

   Create a free my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Your statement shows your estimated benefit at various ages and your full earnings record.

2. 2

   Calculate your AIME

   Take your highest 35 years of earnings (adjusted for inflation), add them up, and divide by 420 months. Use your Social Security statement as a reference.

3. 3

   Apply the 2026 bend point formula

   Use the formula above: 90% of the first $1,226, 32% of the next $6,165, and 15% of anything above $7,391.

4. 4

   Check for offsets

   If you receive workers' comp or other public disability benefits, your SSDI may be reduced. A disability attorney can help you calculate this.

5. 5

   Consult an attorney

   A disability attorney reviews your full situation — work history, medical records, and potential offsets — to give you an accurate picture of your claim.

The Social Security Administration denies roughly two out of every three SSDI applications at the initial stage. For most people, this is devastating news — especially when they're already dealing with a disability that has cost them their ability to work. But a denial is not the end of the road. Understanding why claims get denied is the first step to building a stronger case.

Reason #1: Insufficient Medical Evidence

The single most common reason SSDI claims are denied is a lack of sufficient medical documentation. The SSA needs detailed, consistent medical records that clearly establish both your diagnosis and how it limits your ability to work. A single doctor's note saying "patient is disabled" is not enough.

Reason #2: Earning Too Much (SGA Limit)

If you are working and earning above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold, the SSA will deny your claim outright regardless of your disability. In 2026, the SGA limit is $1,620/month for non-blind applicants and $2,700/month for blind applicants.

Reason #3: The Condition Is Not Expected to Last 12 Months

SSDI requires that your disability either has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months, or result in death. Short-term or temporary conditions — even severe ones — generally do not qualify.

Reason #4: Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment

If the SSA determines that you are not following your doctor's prescribed treatment without good cause, they may deny your claim on the grounds that your condition could improve with treatment. This catches many applicants off guard.

Reason #5: Not Enough Work Credits

SSDI requires a minimum number of work credits based on your age at the time of disability. Generally you need 40 credits (10 years of work), with 20 earned in the last 10 years. Younger workers need fewer credits. If you don't meet this requirement, SSDI is not available — but SSI may be.

Reason #6: The SSA Thinks You Can Do Other Work

Even if you can no longer do your previous job, the SSA may deny your claim if they believe you can perform other types of work that exist in the national economy. This is called the "vocational" step of the five-step evaluation process — and it's where many claims that seemed strong on medical grounds get denied.

What to Do After a Denial

If your claim is denied, do not give up. The approval rate at the hearing level (after appeal) is significantly higher than at the initial application stage. Here's what to do:

• File a Request for Reconsideration within 60 days of your denial notice
• If reconsideration is denied, request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Hire a disability attorney — approval rates with representation are significantly higher
• Continue seeing your doctors and building your medical record during the appeal
• Do not miss any SSA deadlines — missed deadlines can permanently bar your appeal