SSDI Benefits Are Based on Your Average Lifetime Earnings

The amount of SSDI benefits you receive is primarily based on your average lifetime earnings. The SSA uses a formula to calculate your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the monthly benefit you are eligible to receive if you are approved for SSDI. The PIA takes into account your earnings over your working years, typically from your 40 highest-earning quarters in the years you worked and paid Social Security taxes.

How Your Earnings Affect Your SSDI Benefit:

• The SSA uses your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME), which is calculated based on your highest earnings during the years you worked.
• The AIME is then used to determine your PIA, which is the amount of monthly SSDI benefits you will receive.

In general, the more you have paid into Social Security through your work history, the higher your monthly SSDI benefits will be. The SSA uses a formula that adjusts for inflation to calculate your AIME.

Average SSDI Payment

As of 2025, the average monthly SSDI benefit is around $1,400. However, this amount can vary significantly based on your earnings history and your age at the time of disability. If you had a high-paying job and paid more into Social Security, you may qualify for a higher monthly benefit.

• The maximum SSDI benefit in 2025 for someone at full retirement age is around $3,600 per month.
• If you have a low earnings history or worked in lower-paying jobs, your SSDI benefits will be lower, possibly below the average of $1,400.

Early Retirement and Age Considerations

Your SSDI benefits may also be influenced by your age. SSDI benefits are based on the age at which you become disabled and your earnings history. Here’s how age can play a role:

• Before full retirement age (FRA): If you are under the full retirement age (typically around 66-67), your SSDI benefits will be based on your work history and how much you have earned over your lifetime.
• At full retirement age: Once you reach your full retirement age, your SSDI benefit will convert to retirement benefits and you’ll be eligible for the full PIA amount you have been receiving.

However, note that SSDI benefits are not reduced for early retirement in the same way that Social Security retirement benefits are.

Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)

Each year, the SSA may adjust SSDI benefits to keep pace with inflation. This adjustment, known as the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the change in the cost of living over time. In years when inflation increases, your SSDI payment may increase to help you keep up with rising costs.

Family Benefits and Dependents

If you are approved for SSDI, certain family members may also be eligible to receive benefits based on your work history. These may include:

• Spouses: If your spouse is at least 62 years old or is caring for a child under 16, they may be eligible for benefits based on your SSDI.
• Children: Your children may also qualify for benefits if they are under the age of 18 or are disabled before the age of 22.

Family benefits are typically a percentage of your SSDI benefit, depending on your family’s circumstances.

SSDI and Other Income

If you are receiving other forms of income, such as workers' compensation or private disability benefits, it could affect the amount of SSDI you receive. The SSA may reduce your SSDI benefits to account for other disability income, especially if it exceeds a certain amount. However, SSI benefits (Supplemental Security Income) are not typically impacted by other income.

How to Estimate Your SSDI Benefit

To get an estimate of your SSDI benefit, you can use the SSA’s online benefit calculator. Additionally, if you’ve worked and paid into Social Security, you can create an account at www.ssa.gov and access your Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement to see how much you may be entitled to in SSDI benefits based on your earnings history.