1. What is SSA Total Lifetime Earnings?

The SSA (Social Security Administration) total lifetime earnings represent the sum of all your annual earnings that were subject to Social Security taxes over your working lifetime. This figure is important for calculating Social Security benefits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses a simple summation formula:

Where:

• Annual Earnings — Your yearly earnings subject to Social Security taxes

Explanation: The calculator adds up all the annual earnings you provide to give your total lifetime earnings.

3. Importance of Lifetime Earnings Calculation

Details: Your total lifetime earnings affect your Social Security benefits. Higher lifetime earnings generally result in higher benefits, up to the Social Security maximum.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your annual earnings as comma-separated values (e.g., "45000, 48000, 52000"). The calculator will sum all valid numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find my historical earnings?
A: You can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your official earnings record.

Q2: Does this include non-taxed income?
A: No, only earnings subject to Social Security taxes are included in SSA records.

Q3: How far back does SSA keep earnings records?
A: The SSA maintains earnings records from 1937 to the present.

Q4: What if some years are missing?
A: Missing years will result in lower total earnings and potentially lower benefits.

Q5: How does this affect my Social Security benefits?
A: Benefits are calculated using your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation.