- The regular Social Security benefit.
- The special minimum Social Security benefit.
In both cases, the benefit you claim is known as your primary insurance amount or PIA.
The regular Social Security benefit is designed for the average income earner, while the special minimum Social Security benefit is intended for lower-income citizens.
Each is calculated differently.
How are Social Security benefits calculated?
For most of us, Social Security benefits are calculated for retirement based on our lifetime earnings.
The Social Security Administration calculates your benefits based on the 35 highest-earning years of your career.
The special minimum Social Security benefit calculation is based on years of service rather than lifetime earnings.
A year of service refers to any year in which you contributed a certain minimum amount to Social Security.
The ultimate PIA for which you qualify increases with every year of service (up to a maximum of 30 years).
What is the special minimum Social Security benefit?
The terms “special minimum Social Security benefit” and “minimum Social Security benefit” are often used interchangeably because they refer to the same thing.
The special minimum Social Security benefit is intended for lower-income individuals as a means to afford them a higher PIA than they would otherwise be eligible for.
As explained above, it is calculated based on years of service rather than lifetime earnings.
Who is eligible for the minimum Social Security benefit?
You must have at least 11 (and up to 30) years of coverage to be eligible for the special minimum Social Security benefit.
You achieve a year of coverage by earning a certain minimum amount of earnings within that year.
If you are a low-income individual, you can choose between the regular Social Security benefit and the special minimum Social Security benefit.
Interestingly, low-income workers on the higher end of the spectrum are increasingly opting for the regular PIA.
This is because the regular PIA may actually still pay out more than the special minimum PIA, thanks to adjustments that have not kept up with the ever-increasing impact of inflation on retirement.
What is the minimum Social Security benefit at age 62?
The youngest age at which you can begin claiming the minimum Social Security benefit is 62. However, the amount will be reduced if you file before the full retirement age, which is 67 for those born after 1960.
The lowest minimum PIA, requiring at least 11 years of work, was $49.40 per month in 2023 and $50.90 per month in 2024. The full minimum PIA, requiring at least 30 years of work, was $1,033.50 per month in 2023 and $1,066.50 in 2024.
How much will I get from Social Security benefits?
How much you will receive from special minimum Social Security depends on two factors:
1. Your total years of coverage (between 11 and 30).
2. The age at which you begin claiming your special minimum PIA.
The special minimum PIA is periodically increased to adjust for the increased cost of living.
You can determine the PIA for which you currently qualify by consulting the latest PIA table published by the Social Security Administration.
What if you choose not to retire early?
If you were 70 years old (or older) in 2024 and had a maximum of 30 coverage years, you would have been eligible for the highest possible special minimum PIA of $4,873 per month. The figure rose to $5,108 in 2025.
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Your Social Security benefits are a vital component of your retirement plan, particularly if you have been a long-term, low-income worker.
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