About this calculator
Claiming Social Security early means smaller checks for life; waiting means larger ones but fewer years of them. This calculator compares claiming at 62, full retirement age, and 70 on a lifetime-benefit basis, with break-even ages, so the decision rests on total dollars and longevity — not guesswork.
What it shows you
- Monthly benefit at each claiming age
- Cumulative lifetime benefit by claiming strategy
- The break-even age between early and delayed claiming
- How longevity changes the optimal choice
- How spousal timing factors into the decision
What you'll enter
- Your date of birth and benefit at full retirement age
- Life expectancy
- Marital status, and your spouse's date of birth, benefit, and life expectancy
When to use it
- Deciding when to start Social Security
- Comparing claiming at 62, at full retirement age, and at 70
Why it matters
The claiming decision is worth tens of thousands of dollars and cannot be undone. Walking a client through the break-even math is high-stakes advice that cements a long-term relationship.
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