When should you claim Social Security?
Claiming early permanently reduces your benefit. Waiting increases it. Move the sliders to see how much that choice is actually worth, based on Social Security's own claiming-age rules.
Your benefit at different claiming ages
Enter your birth year and your estimated benefit at Full Retirement Age (from your Social Security statement), then adjust when you'd claim.
Illustrative only, based on Social Security's published claiming-age adjustment rules (reduction for claiming before Full Retirement Age, delayed retirement credits up to age 70). Your actual benefit depends on your full earnings record — get your official estimate at ssa.gov.
Claiming age is one decision inside a much bigger retirement income plan. We help you weigh it against your full picture — not in isolation.
Schedule a Free ConsultationA permanent choice, not a preference
Early claiming is permanent
Claim before your Full Retirement Age and the reduction isn't temporary — it applies for the rest of your life, and for a surviving spouse's benefit too.
Delaying isn't automatically right either
Waiting until 70 maximizes the monthly check, but it isn't the best move for everyone — health, other income sources, and spousal strategy all matter.
It's a household decision, not an individual one
For married couples, the higher earner's claiming age often determines the survivor benefit the other spouse will rely on for the rest of their life.
It should fit the rest of your plan
The right claiming age depends on your other income sources, tax situation, and withdrawal strategy — not just this number in isolation.
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