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Social Security break-even calculator
The age at which waiting to claim Social Security pays more in total, with the SSA's reduction and credit rules.
With a $2,000 benefit at 67, claiming at 62 pays $1,400 a month and claiming at 67 pays $2,000. Waiting pays more in total from age 78.7; between 67 and 70 the break-even age is 82.5.
Break-even age
78.7
Claiming at 67 ($2,000 a month) pays more in total than at 62 ($1,400 a month) if you live past 78.7.
Full retirement age 67, for anyone born in 1960 or later. Amounts in today's dollars.
| Claim at | Share of full benefit | A month | Total by 80 | Total by 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 70% | $1,400 | $302,400 | $470,400 |
| 63 | 75% | $1,500 | $306,000 | $486,000 |
| 64 | 80% | $1,600 | $307,200 | $499,200 |
| 65 | 86.67% | $1,733 | $312,000 | $520,000 |
| 66 | 93.33% | $1,867 | $313,600 | $537,600 |
| 67 | 100% | $2,000 | $312,000 | $552,000 |
| 68 | 108% | $2,160 | $311,040 | $570,240 |
| 69 | 116% | $2,320 | $306,240 | $584,640 |
| 70 | 124% | $2,480 | $297,600 | $595,200 |
The rules behind it
For anyone born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. Claiming early cuts the benefit by 5/9 of 1% a month for the first 36 months and 5/12 of 1% for each month beyond, so at 62 it is 70% of the full amount. Waiting past 67 adds 2/3 of 1% a month, 8% a year, up to 124% at 70.
Break-even ages
| Compare | Monthly benefits | Break-even age |
|---|---|---|
| 62 vs 67 | $1,400 vs $2,000 | 78.7 |
| 62 vs 70 | $1,400 vs $2,480 | 80.4 |
| 65 vs 67 | $1,733 vs $2,000 | 80.0 |
| 67 vs 70 | $2,000 vs $2,480 | 82.5 |
The ages do not depend on the size of the benefit, only on the two claiming ages. Cost-of-living adjustments raise both choices alike, so the calculator leaves them out and works in today's dollars. It does not discount future payments or include taxes, spousal benefits or the earnings test.
Questions people ask
What is the Social Security break even point?
The age at which the total received from a later, larger benefit catches up with the total from an earlier, smaller one. Claiming at 67 instead of 62 breaks even at 78.7; live longer than that and waiting paid more.
What is my Social Security break even age?
It depends on the two ages you compare: 78.7 for 62 vs 67, 80.4 for 62 vs 70 and 82.5 for 67 vs 70, under the rules for people born in 1960 or later.
Related
Retiring at 62 covers health insurance and the reduced benefit. The how long will my money last calculator tests the savings that fill the gap.
Your own benefit and options depend on your earnings record and family situation. Use your statement at ssa.gov. See the disclaimer.
Sources
- Social Security Administration, Office of the Chief Actuary, Early or Late Retirement?
- Social Security Administration, Delayed Retirement Credits.
- Social Security Administration, Retirement benefits if you were born in 1960 or later.
Last reviewed by Asier Fernández, editor, on . Educational information only, not financial advice. How we calculate