United States · SSA retirement rules
Social Security claiming break-even.
Compare a supplied full-retirement-age benefit at 62, full retirement age and 70, then see when the simple cumulative-payment comparison crosses over.
SSA allows retirement benefits as early as age 62. Claiming before full retirement age reduces the monthly amount; delaying after full retirement age increases it until age 70. This page models those published percentages only.
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Simplified comparison
How the comparison works
SSA's full retirement age reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later. For people born in 1943 or later, delayed retirement credits are 8% per year after full retirement age, stopping at age 70. The age-62 reductions vary slightly by birth year; this page uses SSA's published rounded percentages.
Break-even ages are nominal cumulative-payment crossovers: they exclude COLAs, taxes, earnings-test withholding, spousal and survivor benefits, Medicare premiums, investment returns and life expectancy. SSA's own benefit calculators should be used for a personalized record-based estimate.
Official sources: SSA full retirement age, SSA early-claim reductions and SSA delayed retirement credits. Rules verified September 29, 2026.
Not a claiming recommendation
This is a simplified educational comparison, not personalized financial advice or an SSA benefit determination. Consider your household, health, work, tax and survivor-benefit circumstances with a qualified adviser.