Social Security claiming

Compare claiming at 62, your full retirement age, and 70 — with break-even ages, lifetime checks, and a portfolio that has to cover spending while you wait.

Educational estimate only — not tax, legal, investment, or financial advice. Results depend on simplified assumptions; see Methodology. Numbers are stored in your browser only unless you export them. Worker benefits only (plus a simple spouse worker benefit if enabled). No earnings test, taxes, or survivor math. Prefills from your saved plan when present. Pair with the SS tax torpedo once benefits start.

Your benefit

Monthly benefit at FRAPIA estimate from SSAFull retirement agePlan through ageSS COLA %

Portfolio bridge

Annual spending needToday’s $ — inflated each yearPortfolio balancePortfolio return %Inflation %Other income / yrPension, rental, etc. (today’s $)

Spouse (optional)

Include spouse worker benefit?Spouse FRA monthlySpouse FRA ageSpouse claim ageHeld fixed while you vary your claim age

62 vs FRA vs 70

Claim age	Monthly	Lifetime SS	Ending portfolio	Funds spend?
62	$1,960	$2,141,551	$7,219,772	Yes
67	$2,800	$2,310,468	$7,237,392	Yes
70	$3,472	$2,404,488	$7,214,467	Yes

Break-even ages

Claim 62 vs 67: Age 81
Claim 62 vs 70: Age 83
Claim 67 vs 70: Age 85

Break-even is when cumulative Social Security of the later claim overtakes the earlier one (COLA included). It ignores portfolio returns — use the table above for that.

How to read these numbers

Claiming at 62 locks in a permanently smaller check. Waiting until 70 earns delayed retirement credits (8% per year past FRA). The “right” age depends on longevity, other income, and whether your portfolio can bridge the gap without failing.

Break-even answers: “If I only care about total Social Security dollars, how long do I need to live for delaying to win?”
Portfolio bridge answers: “If I spend $60,000/yr, does my portfolio survive when benefits start later?”
Once benefits start, IRA withdrawals can tax more of your Social Security — check the tax torpedo calculator.

Roth conversion ladder · Retirement calculator · All calculators

Privacy: plan inputs stay in local browser storage on this device. We don’t upload your balances to a server. Export or clear site data anytime.