Social Security Claim Age Estimator

See how claiming early or delaying changes your benefit. Uses official SSA reduction and delayed-retirement-credit formulas.

Break-even comparator: 62 vs FRA vs 70

Cumulative lifetime dollars by age, with COLA adjustment. Shows the exact age at which delaying catches up — the deciding number for most retirees.

How Social Security claiming math works

Your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is the benefit you'd receive if you claim at full retirement age (FRA — 67 for those born 1960 or later). Claiming earlier reduces it; delaying increases it.

Early-claim reduction

5/9% per month for the first 36 months before FRA
5/12% per month beyond 36 months
Claiming at 62 with FRA 67 = ~30% reduction

Delayed retirement credits

8% per year past FRA (2/3% per month)
No benefit to delaying past age 70
Delaying from 67 to 70 = ~24% increase

What this estimator doesn't include

Your actual benefit also depends on your top-35 indexed earning years, COLA adjustments, taxation thresholds, and spousal/survivor rules. For a precise estimate, log into ssa.gov/myaccount.