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Index/Topics/Social Security benefits calculation

Social Security benefits calculation

Social Security retirement benefits are calculated from an individual’s highest 35 years of indexed earnings.

Fact-Checks

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Feb 5, 2026

Which specific income sources (e.g., tribal benefits, veteran benefits, unemployment) are included or excluded from MAGI under federal guidance?

Modified Adjusted Gross Income () is essentially a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI) with a small set of additions and specific exclusions that vary by program; federal guidance consistently adds...

Jan 30, 2026

How is taxable Social Security income (provisional income) calculated and what thresholds matter?

— often called “provisional income” or “combined income” — is a formulaic construct used by the and to decide whether some portion of retirement benefits are included in federal taxable income: combin...