# How much SSDI will I get?

Estimates your monthly Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit from your average indexed monthly earnings, with the family maximum and the 2026 substantial gainful activity limit.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/finance/ssdi-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/finance/ssdi-calculator.json
- Version: a9a0facd7ae0

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Average indexed monthly earnings $4,000.00, Year the disability began 2026, Statutorily blind No): With average indexed monthly earnings of $4,000.00, your SSDI benefit is about $2,025.00 a month.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| aime | Average indexed monthly earnings | Your AIME: your indexed earnings over your working years (fewer years for a younger worker), divided by the number of months. |
| year | Year the disability began | The year you became disabled, which picks the bend points; after 2026, the 2026 bend points. |
| blind | Statutorily blind | Whether you are statutorily blind, which raises the monthly earnings limit (SGA). |
| earnings | Monthly earnings from work | Gross monthly earnings from work, if any, to compare with the substantial gainful activity limit. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| benefit | Monthly SSDI benefit | The primary insurance amount, rounded down to the dollar. |
| pia | Primary insurance amount | The PIA from the formula, rounded down to the dime. |
| yearly | A year | The monthly benefit times 12. |
| familyMax | Family maximum | The most your family can get a month on your record: the smaller of 85% of AIME (at least the PIA) and 150% of the PIA. |
| sga | Earnings limit (SGA) | The 2026 monthly substantial gainful activity amount: earnings above it usually mean you are not disabled under SSA rules. |
| work | Your earnings | Whether your monthly earnings are above the substantial gainful activity limit. |

## Method

PIA = 90% of AIME to the first bend point + 32% to the second + 15% above, down to the dime; SSDI = PIA down to the dollar; family maximum = min(max(85% of AIME, PIA), 150% of PIA).

## Assumptions

- SSDI pays the full PIA, with no reduction for age. Bend points are those of the year the disability began; a year after 2026 uses 2026.
- Cost-of-living adjustments after the year of disability are not included.
- Benefits start after a five-month waiting period; you need enough recent work credits, and SSA must find you disabled.
- Other disability payments (workers’ compensation, some public disability benefits) can lower SSDI and are not included.

## Worked examples

1. aime = $3,000.00, year = 2026, blind = no gives pia = $1,705.80, benefit = $1,705.00, familyMax = $2,550.00, sga = $1,690.00. Source: SSA PIA formula and 2026 bend points; 42 U.S.C. 403(a)(6).
2. aime = $1,000.00, year = 2026, blind = yes, earnings = $2,000.00 gives pia = $900.00, benefit = $900.00, familyMax = $900.00, sga = $2,830.00, work = at or below the SGA limit. Source: 85% of AIME = 850 is less than the PIA, so the family maximum is the PIA (42 U.S.C. 403(a)(6)); SSA 2026 SGA for the blind $2,830.
3. aime = $9,000.00, year = 2020, blind = no, earnings = $1,700.00 gives pia = $2,890.20, benefit = $2,890.00, familyMax = $4,335.30, work = above the SGA limit. Source: SSA 2020 bend points ($960 and $5,785).

## FAQ

### How is SSDI calculated?

SSDI pays your primary insurance amount (PIA), the same amount a retired worker gets at full retirement age, with no reduction for age. The PIA is 90% of the first $1,286 of your average indexed monthly earnings, 32% of the part up to $7,749, and 15% above that (2026 bend points).

### What is the SGA limit for 2026?

Substantial gainful activity is $1,690 a month in 2026, or $2,830 if you are statutorily blind. Earning more than that usually means SSA does not consider you disabled. A trial work period lets people already on SSDI test work at a lower amount.

### How much can my family get on my SSDI record?

Your spouse and children may get benefits too, but the total is capped by the disability family maximum: the smaller of 85% of your AIME and 150% of your PIA, and never less than your PIA.

### How long until SSDI payments start?

There is a five-month waiting period: benefits start with the sixth full month of disability. You also need enough recent work credits, and SSA must decide that your condition meets its definition of disability.

### What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI is insurance you earn by working and paying Social Security tax; the amount depends on your earnings. SSI is a needs-based payment of up to $994 a month in 2026 for people with low income and few resources.

## Sources

- Social Security Administration, Primary Insurance Amount (PIA formula): https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/piaformula.html
- Social Security Administration, Benefit Formula Bend Points: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/bendpoints.html
- Social Security Administration, Substantial Gainful Activity (2026 amounts): https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html
- Social Security Act section 203(a)(6), 42 U.S.C. 403(a)(6) (disability family maximum): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/403