Social Security claiming age calculator (62 vs 67 vs 70)

Compare Social Security claiming ages (62–70) using lifetime benefits and discounted value. Add taxes/other income for scenarios (verify with SSA).

Your inputs

About this calculator

Compare starting benefits at different ages. Use your latest Social Security statement for the monthly amount at full retirement age.

Your information

Enter your best estimates below.

Your age today. We test claim ages from 62 up to 70.
Married filers often coordinate two checks. This picks the tax rule on benefits in our simple model.
The monthly amount on your SSA.gov statement at full retirement age — before reductions for claiming early or bonuses for waiting.

Find this on your Social Security statement at ssa.gov.

How we run the estimate

Change COLA, discount rate, and tax assumptions below. Age, filing status, and benefit amount stay in the panel above.

2.0%
3.0%
22%
Your full retirement age
Age 67 (from SSA rules for your age)
How long we compare claim ages
Through age 90
Benefit raises after you start
2% per year (typical cost-of-living estimate)
Fair comparison across ages
Future checks are scaled back using a 3% yearly rate ("today's dollars")
Claiming before or after full retirement age
Official Social Security reduction and credit rules from age 62 through 70
Taxes on benefits
Simplified federal rules at 22%; we assume no other income besides Social Security

Your results

Optimal claim age

Best claiming age (total value in today's dollars)

Age 69

Monthly benefit: $2,900. Lifetime net: $949,721. Break-even vs. early claim: Age 82.

Age 62 monthly

$1,750

Full retirement age monthly

$2,500

Age 70 monthly

$3,100

Monthly benefit by claim age

Age 62Age 63Age 64Age 65Age 66Age 67Age 68Age 69Age 70$0$800$2K$2K$3K

Cumulative net lifetime benefits

  • If you claim at age 62
  • If you claim at age 70
  • If you claim at full retirement age
626466687072747678808284868890$0$250K$500K$750K$1.0M

Beyond this calculator

Claim age is one piece of your retirement paycheck

This estimate compares when to start benefits using simplified Social Security and tax rules. A complete Retirelens plan also models:

  • Spousal and survivor benefits across two lifetimes
  • How benefits combine with pensions, work income, and portfolio withdrawals
  • Federal and state tax on benefits as your other income changes
  • Whether your chosen start age still supports healthcare and everyday spending

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Interpretation

What this means

Planning context for the estimates above. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.

Your full retirement age is 67. Claiming at age 69 gives the highest total value in today's dollars ($562,842). Claiming at age 70 pays the most in total checks before taxes.

Break-even age (early vs. age 70): Age 82. If you expect to live past this age, delaying generally wins.

Methodology

How this calculator works

The rules and math behind this estimate.

Each claim age adjusts your full-retirement benefit up or down using Social Security rules (lower if you claim early, higher if you delay to 70). Benefits increase each year by a default cost-of-living rate. A simplified tax on benefits uses federal rules with no other income assumed.

Comparisons run through age 90. "Today's dollars" discounts future checks using a default3% rate so you can compare ages fairly.

Help

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.

When should I start Social Security?

You can start as early as 62 for a smaller check, or wait until 70 for the largest monthly amount. The best age depends on health, other income, and whether you're married.

What is full retirement age?

The age when you get your full benefit with no early reduction. It is 67 for people born in 1960 or later; slightly younger for older birth years.

What if I wait past full retirement age?

Benefits grow about 8% per year until age 70. There is no bonus for waiting after 70.

Is Social Security taxed?

Up to 85% can be taxable if your other income is high enough. Many people with modest income pay little or no tax on benefits.

Your full retirement picture

Retirement is more than money

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A good retirement plan covers money, health, how you spend your time, people you care about, and what you pass on. That is how Retirelens looks at the full picture.

Finance

Know where you stand and what to do next with your money.

74% of planners reported satisfaction with retirement income vs. 43% of non-planners (Goldman Sachs)

Health

Secure solid coverage, stay ahead with preventive care and healthy habits a staple.

68% of adults ages 50–64 said they were concerned that federal policy changes could affect their health insurance coverage. (University of Michigan)

Purpose

Shape days you look forward to, with steps to get there.

Research shows that a stronger sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality risk among adults over age 50. (American Medical Association)

Connections

Strengthen relationships and build a support circle.

A longitudinal study of adults aged 65+ found that older adults with more diverse social networks had a lower risk of death and better cognitive and physical function than those with less diverse networks. (Chico Health Aging Project)

Legacy

Organize your assets and document so your family isn't left guessing.

Without a proper estate plan, more than half of families experience disputes or have assets end up under court control. (LegalShield)