Social Security: When Should You Claim?
Enter your estimated benefits and see which claiming age pays the most over your lifetime.
Step 1 — Your estimated monthly benefits
Find these three numbers on your Social Security statement at ssa.gov/myaccount.
For reference: a 62-year-old woman today lives to about 85 on average, and many live well into their 90s.
Based on your numbers, claiming at pays the most.
Break-even ages
The age at which waiting starts to pay more than claiming early. Live past it, and waiting wins.
Cumulative benefits over time
The vertical line marks your expected lifespan. Where the lines cross are your break-even points.
The numbers
Total dollars received by each age. The highest amount in each row is highlighted.
Want a copy of your results?
Enter your name and email and we’ll send your personalized results, plus occasional retirement-planning insights from Off the Clock on Purpose. Unsubscribe anytime.
Check your inbox! Confirm your subscription and your results will be on their way.
Something went wrong sending your results. Please try again.
A note on these numbers: This calculator is for education, not financial advice. It compares your own SSA estimates in today’s dollars and does not model cost-of-living adjustments, taxes, spousal or survivor benefits, the earnings test if you work while collecting, or what you might earn by investing early benefits. Your claiming decision affects survivor benefits and more — talk with a qualified financial professional before deciding.