1. What is the SSDI Payment Calculation?

The SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) payment calculation determines your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) using a formula with three Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) bend points. This calculation forms the basis for your monthly disability benefit.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the PIA formula:

Where:

• \( AIME1 \) — First bend point amount (typically up to $1,174)
• \( AIME2 \) — Second bend point amount (typically between $1,174 and $7,078)
• \( AIME3 \) — Third bend point amount (typically above $7,078)
• 0.9, 0.32, 0.15 — Progressive weighting factors

Explanation: The formula uses decreasing percentages for higher income brackets to provide proportionally higher benefits to lower-income workers.

3. Understanding AIME Bend Points

Details: The AIME is calculated from your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. The bend points divide your AIME into three segments that are weighted differently in the PIA calculation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your AIME amounts for each bend point in dollars per month. The calculator will compute your estimated PIA, which is the basis for your SSDI payment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the current bend point amounts?
A: For 2023, the first bend point is $1,174, and the second is $7,078. These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.

Q2: How is AIME calculated?
A: AIME is based on your 35 highest-earning years, indexed for wage inflation, then divided by 420 (35 years × 12 months).

Q3: Is this the exact amount I'll receive?
A: Your actual payment may differ based on other benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, or family maximums.

Q4: How often are bend points updated?
A: Bend points are adjusted annually based on national average wage index changes.

Q5: Can my PIA decrease?
A: No, once calculated, your PIA only increases with cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs).