Social Security Benefits Calculator
See your Social Security benefit at any claiming age from 62 to 70, your full retirement age and the break-even age.
When should I claim Social Security?
You can start retirement benefits as early as 62, but your monthly check is permanently reduced if you claim before your full retirement age (FRA), and permanently increased if you wait past it, up to age 70.
| Birth year | Full retirement age |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 |
How the benefit changes
Early: −5/9 of 1% per month for the first 36 months, −5/12 of 1% per month after that Delayed: +2/3 of 1% per month (8% a year) until age 70
Born in 1962 with a $2,000 benefit at 67: claiming at 62 pays $1,400 a month (30% less), while waiting until 70 pays $2,480 (24% more). Compared with claiming at 67, claiming at 62 comes out ahead in total until about age 78.7; waiting until 70 pulls ahead after about age 82.5.
Things to weigh
- Health and family history: if you expect to live past the break-even age, delaying usually pays more in total.
- Spouses: the higher earner delaying increases the survivor benefit the other spouse may receive.
- Working while claiming: before FRA, benefits are temporarily withheld if your earnings exceed an annual limit.
- Taxes: up to 85% of benefits can be taxable depending on your other income.
Get your actual benefit estimate from your my Social Security account at ssa.gov; this tool only applies the official reduction and credit rules to the number you enter.
Frequently asked questions
How much less is Social Security at 62?
If your full retirement age is 67, claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by 30%. A $2,000 benefit becomes $1,400 a month.
How much more do you get if you wait until 70?
You earn 8% a year in delayed retirement credits after full retirement age. With an FRA of 67, waiting until 70 increases the benefit by 24%.
What is my full retirement age?
67 if you were born in 1960 or later; between 66 and 67 for those born from 1955 to 1959; 66 for 1943–1954.
Last reviewed October 2026. Results are estimates; check important decisions with a qualified professional.